By Debra Rono
Following his remarkable victory in the 200-meter final at the Olympics on Thursday evening, Botswana President His Excellency Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi issued a statement declaring an afternoon off today to commemorate Botswana’s first-ever gold medal at the Olympics.
“His Excellency, Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, hereby declares to the nation, that he has found it a fitting tribute to Mr Letsile Tebogo, “Botswana’s Sensation”, to grant Batswana and residents an afternoon day-off, on this very day, Friday the 9th August 2024,” the statement reads in part.
In a fiercely contested race at the Stade de France, Letsile Tebogo triumphed in the 200-meter finals, securing a gold medal for his country and marking the first gold medal for Africa in this event.
“The decision has been duly made to recognize and honour Letsile Tebogo as the first Motswana and first African to win a Gold Medal for 200m in the history of the Olympics,” the statement continues.
At just 21 years old, Tebogo achieved a remarkable time of 19.46 seconds, making him the youngest athlete to ever win a gold medal in the 200-meter race. He was followed closely by American Kenneth Bednarek, who finished second with a time of 19.62 seconds, and the 100-meter champion Noah Lyles, who came in third at 19.70 seconds but was later taken off the track in a wheelchair and confirmed to have competed while suffering from COVID-19.
Letsile Tebogo dedicated his victory to his late mother, Seratiwa, who passed away in May 2024 after a brief illness. He pointed to the cameras, showcasing his spikes adorned with his mother’s birth date and “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,” an emotional Tebogo expressed.
Initially drawn to football, Tebogo later ventured into track and field, where he made history as the second U-20 athlete to break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters, achieving a remarkable time of 9.96 seconds at the age of 18.
He subsequently competed in the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where he earned a silver medal.
Tebogo also participated in the 100 meters event in Paris on Sunday, but finished in sixth place, with the race being won by the reigning world champion, Noah Lyles.
Tebogo took the opportunity to dedicate his victory to the African continent, as he became the first African sprinter to secure a gold medal in the 200 meters.
“This achievement holds significant meaning for the African continent, as it positions Africa as a hub for sprinting. We aimed to ensure that this message resonates clearly,” Tebogo stated.
“It didn’t take long; they were simply waiting for me to rise to the occasion,” he added.