Letsile Tebogo sprinted to victory in the men’s 200m at the Paris 2024 Olympics, setting a new African record time of 19.46 seconds. By outpacing the American duo of Kenneth Bednarek and Noah Lyles, Tebogo became the first African athlete to win the Olympic gold medal in the men’s 200m, cementing his place in history.
As Tebogo crossed the finish line, he slapped his chest, celebrating his historic achievement in front of a cheering crowd at the Stade de France. His victory denied pre-race favourite Noah Lyles the chance for a sprint double. Lyles, who had claimed the 100m gold earlier in the week, finished third with a time of 19.70 seconds, while Kenneth Bednarek took silver in 19.62 seconds.
Letsile Tebogo puts Botswana on top of the world 🤯🤯
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Following the race, Lyles revealed that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and had to be assisted off the track in a wheelchair. Meanwhile, Tebogo dedicated his historic win to his late mother, Elizabeth Seratiwa, who passed away last May. With her date of birth on his spikes and her initials on his fingernails, he expressed his gratitude, saying, “I believe she could be one of the happiest people on the planet because she believed in me and I had so much doubt for myself.”
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Tebogo’s victory is not only a personal triumph but also a significant moment for the African continent, as he is the first African sprinter to win an Olympic gold medal in the men’s 200m. “It means a lot to the African continent because now they see Africa as a sprinting home,” Tebogo said. “So we just had to make sure that the message is loud and clear.”
From Football Hopeful to Sprinting Sensation
Growing up in Botswana, Tebogo was a promising athlete with a passion for football. However, his speed on the field far outpaced his ball-handling skills. “I used to run past people and won medals. I also played football. Every time though I went to play football, I was being benched,” Tebogo explained.
Choosing to focus on track and field, Tebogo quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the second U-20 athlete to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m with a world record run of 9.96 seconds at just 18 years old. His rise continued at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where he became the first African runner to reach the 100m podium, winning silver.
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“This medal isn’t for me; it’s for Botswana, for Africa,” he stated, recognising the wider significance of his achievements for a continent traditionally known for its distance runners.
A Tribute to His Mother
This year began with hope and promise for Tebogo, but it was also marked by the tragic loss of his mother. Competing in his first Olympics, he sought to honour her memory. Although he finished sixth in the 100m final, Tebogo redeemed himself with a stunning 200m performance.
In front of a global audience and against the world’s top sprinters, Tebogo achieved his greatest victory, paying a heartfelt tribute to his mother. “She’s watching up there, and she’s really, really happy,” he said, knowing that his triumph was as much hers as it was his own.
