In 1990, boxer Buster Douglas shocked the world after defeating prime undefeated Mike Tyson and becoming the heavyweight champion. Coming into the fight, nobody had given him much heed, as most spectators believed that this was going to be another easy fight for Tyson. But, apparently, Douglas had promised his mother on her deathbed that he would become the world champion. This heavily fueled him during the fight and helped him to victory. His situation can be compared very well to Letsile Tebogo.

The athlete’s mother passed away on May 19, a few months before the Paris Olympics. This fueled his determination to go on and give his best performance at the competition, as he wanted to pay back his mother for all the support she showed him throughout his career. He was successful in his pursuit, defeating the favorite Noah Lyles in the 200-meter final. But Letsile knew that his mother was with him during that race.

Letsile Tebogo’s mother was with him in the 200-meter final

During the fourth episode of Sprint Season 2, the aftermath of the shocking 200-meter final was revealed. As spectators were trying to sink in what happened, Letsile was celebrating, knowing that he had done justice to his mother’s legacy and warranted all the hard work and toil that she had put in. According to Letsile, his mother was present with him on the track. He felt her presence and understood that she was showing him the right track.

“My mom, she was just there to guide me, just to show me the right path,” the athlete said. Letsile Tebogo knew that he was running mainly for her. “I knew I was carrying her body on my back, because she has been carrying me throughout my entire life,” he added. Eventually, whether it was Letsile’s brilliance on the track or his mother’s guidance, the Motswana athlete ended up winning the race.

This was a huge victory for Letsile, as most had expected Noah Lyles to do the double and win both the 100m and the 200m gold. But he proved all of them wrong and won the gold medal for himself. “Against all odds, I did it. As an Olympic champion, I live with a happy smile, you know,” he said, fulfilling his purpose for the Olympics by not just winning the medal but also running for his mother.

Letsile Tebogo’s main aim at the Olympics

Letsile Tebogo was not by his mother’s side when she passed away. Instead, he was running in the LA Grand Prix and only learned about it after he crossed the finish line at the 100-meter race. The news devastated him; however, instead of giving up everything in sorrow, he decided to channel it into his training and prepare for the Olympics. Letsile found a new purpose; he was now running for his mother.

In the Netflix documentary, Letsile Tebogo said, “The main goal for me at the Olympics is running in the name of my mom. That’s where the dedication comes in.” By keeping this purpose and then winning the gold medal, Letsile must have made his mother immensely happy. The proof of this can be found in her reaction during the World Championships in Budapest.

During that competition, he became the first African World medalist in the 100m race. Letsile’s mother, who was in the stands at that time, couldn’t have been more proud. She said, “I’m so proud that he put Africa on the map. It’s Africa before Botswana, so we are really thrilled.” Imagine her delight if she had seen her son win that gold medal! But, even if Letsile may have lost his mother, he still runs in her memory and will keep doing so.