Botswana’s rising star, Letsile Tebogo, delivered a stunning performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, capturing the gold medal in the men’s 200m with an African record time of 19.46 seconds, MySportDab Reports.
The 21-year-old sprinter electrified the crowd at Stade de France on Thursday, August 8, denying pre-race favorite Noah Lyles the coveted sprint double.
Lyles, who had claimed the Olympic 100m title just days earlier, struggled to keep up with Tebogo’s blistering pace and finished third, securing the bronze medal with a time of 19.70 seconds. Fellow American Kenneth Bednarek took silver, crossing the line in 19.62 seconds.
In a dramatic post-race revelation, Lyles disclosed that he had tested positive for COVID-19. The track star, visibly fatigued, had to be assisted off the track in a wheelchair, highlighting the physical toll the virus had taken on him during the competition.
Tebogo’s victory marks a historic moment for Botswana, as he becomes the first athlete from his country to win an Olympic gold medal.
The emotional sprinter dedicated his triumph to his late mother, Elizabeth Seratiwa, who passed away in May. Tebogo honored her memory by displaying her date of birth on his spikes and painting her initials on his fingernails.
“She’s watching up there, and she’s really, really happy,” an emotional Tebogo shared after the race. Tebogo, who had previously won a bronze medal in the 200m at last year’s World Championships, has now cemented his place as Africa’s new sprinting sensation.
The young athlete is also one of over 600 IOC scholarship holders competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics, further highlighting his journey and achievements on the world stage.
