Letsile Tebogo has set the track ablaze, proving that African athletes can sprint with the best! At the 2024 Paris Olympics, he made history as the first African to snag gold in the men’s 200 meters, clocking an outstanding 19.46 seconds—the fifth-fastest time ever recorded. This monumental victory sent shockwaves through Botswana, prompting the government to declare a national holiday in his honor.

Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi declared the day a public holiday—a fitting tribute to the young sensation who left American sprinters Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles trailing in his wake. As Tebogo shattered the national record of 19.50 seconds, fans across Botswana erupted in joy, waving their blue, white, and black flags in celebration. Yet, despite the accolades and his celebratory high, Tebogo has voiced some dissatisfaction with government support, adding an unexpected twist to his triumphant story!

Tebogo’s urgent call to action

Letsile Tebogo recently made a passionate plea for African governments to prioritize long-term sports development at the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Development in Italy. He emphasized that encouraging private sector investment in sports could significantly boost the continent’s economy.

Tebogo also pointed out that training more coaches in Africa is crucial for developing professional athletes and providing job opportunities for local professionals like physiotherapists and psychologists, who can reinvest their earnings back into their communities. Reflecting on his own journey, Tebogo shared that his achievements as a bronze and silver medalist at the 2023 World Athletics Championships and a gold medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics came despite facing significant challenges.

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“Even though, we were able to achieve all this, it was with very little resources and substandard facilities compared to some of my competitors from developed countries,” he noted, illustrating the uphill battle many African athletes face. Letsile firmly believes that with the right resources and facilities, African athletes and coaches can excel without needing to relocate abroad. However, it raises the question: why didn’t Tebogo succeed in the 100m at the Olympics? Given the circumstances, this outcome may have been almost inevitable.

Letsile Tebogo overcame a personal loss to secure Olympic glory

The success behind Letsile Tebogo at the Paris Olympics can really be traced back to the incredible guidance of his coach, Kebonyemodisa Mosimanyane, often hailed as the mastermind behind the sprinter’s achievements. But it hasn’t been an easy road. The death of Tebogo’s mother, Seratiwa, had a significant impact on his chances in the 100m. She sadly passed away in May while he was in the thick of his Olympic training, aiming to replicate his success from the 2023 World Championships, where he snagged silver in the 100m and bronze in the 200m.

After losing her, a heartbroken Tebogo took three weeks off to mourn, and Mosimanyane knew that this absence would be a game-changer for their training. “For you to get the 100m medal, everything should be perfect, and it takes a lot of work,” he explained, realizing that with that lost time, the 100m medal was slipping away. Still, Mosimanyane believed in Tebogo’s potential and had faith he could still shine.

After processing the situation, Mosimanyane decided to pivot their training focus to the 200m, and what a decision that turned out to be! Tebogo stunned everyone by defeating reigning world champion Noah Lyles, clinching gold, and making history for Botswana. “Once we knew that we cannot achieve our objective, we targeted the 200m,” he shared. Plus, he also helped Team Botswana secure a silver medal in the 4x400m relay! The connection between Tebogo and his mother was so special; they traveled together to countless events, and she was truly a guiding light throughout his athletic journey.