Botswana's Letsile Tebogo etched his name in history on Thursday, becoming the first African to win the Olympic 200 meters. In a stunning upset, the 21-year-old sprint sensation upstaged pre-race favorite Noah Lyles, claiming the gold medal in a race that will be remembered for its significance not just for Botswana but for the entire African continent.
Tebogo’s victory at the Paris 2024 Olympics is a monumental achievement, marking the first time an African athlete has been crowned Olympic champion in the 200m. With a breathtaking run, he clocked an African record of 19.46 seconds, leaving Lyles in third place and cementing his status as one of the world's top sprinters.
This triumph is only the second time an African athlete has medaled in the 200m at the Olympics, following in the footsteps of Namibian legend Frankie Fredericks, who won silver in Atlanta in 1996. Tebogo’s win breaks new ground for African sprinters, who have traditionally excelled in long-distance events but have had less success in sprints.
"Africans were known for the long distance, marathon, and quarter mile," Tebogo said in an interview with NBC earlier this year. "I just wanted to change that role and make sure that [people know] Africans can be sprinters too."
Tebogo’s journey to Olympic glory has been one of dedication and resilience, deeply rooted in his heritage and values. He has always been proud of his Botswanan background, often listening to traditional songs before races to stay connected to his roots. His principles of respect and dedication are evident in how he represents his culture on the global stage. "Don't throw away the culture, and then adopt the city life. Keep on pushing the culture so that people can [see] what you're really made of," he emphasized.
However, this victory is also bittersweet, as Tebogo’s greatest fan, his beloved mother Seratiwa, passed away in May, just months before his historic win. Her unwavering support and belief in her son were pivotal in his rise to the top. Seratiwa was more than a mother; she was his rock, his inspiration, and his guiding force. She had followed him to competitions around the world, including sneaking into Budapest last year to witness him become the first male Botswanan athlete to win World Championship medals.
"There are many moments that stand out!" she told TheVoiceBW in May, days before her sudden passing. "For him to be the first Motswana to raise the blue, black, and white flag in short sprints in Kenya 2021 takes center stage, as does being the first Botswana man to medal at the World Championships last year, and breaking the 200m African record, which stood for over 27 years."
Tebogo’s journey was not an easy one. Raised by a single mother, he grew up with his extended family and had to train without shoes, balancing his passion for athletics and football. His love for football faded after he struggled with being substituted, and he soon realized that athletics offered a better chance to support his family and repay his mother for her sacrifices.
"Putting my interests on hold and emptying my savings just to be with him," Seratiwa had recalled. Tebogo, in turn, called his mother his "rock," and her memory will undoubtedly continue to drive him forward in his career.
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