When it comes to the world of track and field, few names have emerged as impressively as Letsile Tebogo. His pure talent has brought him to the biggest athletic stage in the world. Before becoming an Olympian, Tebogo made his international junior debut in 2021 and has since captured the hearts of fans in lower divisions. Now, as the 100-meter sprint semi-finals approach, he carries the hopes of millions from his country.

This year, Letsile Tebogo is set to make his Olympic debut at the Paris Games. He has long harbored a passion for racing, progressing from national competitions to winning international junior events, and has built a notable reputation. While we know he hails from Botswana, let’s explore his background further to uncover his roots.

Discover Letsile Tebogo’s ethnicity

Letsile Tebogo was born in Botswana and carries the hopes of the 2.7 million people who wish for him to bring home an Olympic gold. His aspirations extend beyond his nation, as he is also part of the Bantu ethnic group. This group, which spans millions across the African continent, is known for its rich tradition in farming and agriculture.

One lesser-known fact about the Bantu is that sprinting wasn’t Letsile Tebogo’s first passion. Football initially drew him into athletics, but things didn’t go as planned. Frequent injuries kept him on the bench, leading him to shift his focus to sprinting full-time. And it’s safe to say that decision worked out remarkably well for him!

Due to his rising fame, RunBlogRun.com did an interview with Letsile Tebogo, in which he revealed, “I used to run past people and win medals. I also played football. Every time I went to play football, I was being benched.” Breaking records before even becoming an Olympian, he has proved that he is the pride of the Bantu people as he represents all of Africa at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

By the time he was 13 years old, Tebogo was already clinching victories in school competitions and various events. Years of dedication and hard work earned him a place on the national team, and now he has the opportunity to become the first African to secure an Olympic gold medal. Today, Tebogo is recognized as one of Africa’s fastest men, even before achieving an Olympic gold. This is especially impressive given that on April 30, 2022, he set a new world U20 100m record with a time of 9.96 seconds at the Gaborone International Meet.

After breaking the record, he remained humble as he credited his icons, saying, “The motivation to get into athletics was from watching the big guys like Isaac Makwala, Karabo Sibanda, and Nijel Amos.” In the end, he stands exactly where he would like to be during his debut year, with fans supporting him as his country cheers for him to be the first African sprinter to win the gold medal.

Here’s how Letsile Tebogo made history in his track and field career

With his sights set on the World Athletics Championships in Oregon and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Tebogo is poised to rise to the challenge. As he builds his reputation, he has already made history as the second runner ever to break the 10-second barrier in the under-20 age class. This achievement highlights Tebogo’s ambition not only to compete but to excel and set new standards in the sport.

His achievements didn’t stop there; Tebogo continued to earn accolades, becoming the 100m World Junior Champion in both 2021 and 2022. However, it’s clear that this is not enough for him. With his eyes firmly set on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Tebogo is determined to do everything he can to bring home the gold medal.

Consider that: do you think his journey until now will be fruitful at this year’s Olympic Games? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.