Paris, August 8, 2024: Letsile Tebogo has etched his name into Olympic history by winning Botswana’s first-ever gold medal and becoming the first African athlete to claim gold in the 200-meter sprint. Tebogo finished the race with a time of 19.46 seconds, securing the fifth-fastest mark in 200m history. His performance was remarkable as he eased up approximately 15 meters from the finish line, further highlighting his dominance in the event.
Tebogo’s victory marks a significant milestone for Botswana and African athletics. He outpaced the United States’ Kenny Bednarek, who took the silver with a time of 19.62 seconds, replicating his silver medal performance from the Tokyo Games. The defending 100m Olympic champion, Noah Lyles, claimed bronze in 19.70 seconds, repeating his third-place finish from the previous Olympics. Lyles later announced he would withdraw from the remainder of the Games due to illness.
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Tebogo dedicated his historic win to his mother, who passed away in May. He wore spikes inscribed with her birth date, stating, “It’s basically me carrying her through every stride that I take.” Tebogo shared that he took a month off after her passing to cope with his loss and find renewed purpose in his athletics career.
In a historic moment for African athletics, four athletes from the continent competed in the 200m final for the first time. Tebogo’s achievement follows a notable performance in the 100-meter final, where he finished sixth, and South Africa’s Akani Simbine took fourth.
Reflecting on his breakthrough, Tebogo downplayed comparisons to sprint legend Usain Bolt, emphasizing his quiet demeanour and focus on his sport.
Noah Lyles’ absence from the post-race press conference fueled discussions after it was revealed that he tested positive for COVID-19. U.S. officials disclosed that Lyles had been wearing a face mask in the call room before the race. Despite the situation, Bednarek, who also competed alongside a COVID-positive Lyles, expressed his concern for Lyles’ health and his hope for a swift recovery.
Key Points
- Historic Victory: Letsile Tebogo won Botswana’s first-ever Olympic gold medal and became the first African athlete to secure gold in the 200-meter sprint.
- Record Time: Tebogo finished with a time of 19.46 seconds, the fifth-fastest in 200m history, despite easing up 15 meters before the finish line.
- Medal Standings: Kenny Bednarek of the U.S. took silver with 19.62 seconds, and Noah Lyles, the 100m Olympic champion, earned bronze with 19.70 seconds. Lyles later withdrew from the Games due to illness.
- Dedication: Tebogo dedicated his victory to his late mother, wearing spikes inscribed with her birth date to honor her memory.
- African Representation: The 200m final featured four African athletes for the first time, following notable performances in the 100m final where Tebogo finished sixth and Akani Simbine of South Africa was fourth.
- Lyles’ Health: Lyles tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the race, which led to his withdrawal from the remainder of the Games. His situation sparked discussions regarding health protocols.
- Athletic Legacy: Tebogo expressed humility about his achievement and avoided comparisons to Usain Bolt, focusing instead on his dedication and the legacy of his late mother.
