Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo delivered a stunning performance to win the gold medal in the men’s 200m at the Paris 2024 Olympics, clocking an impressive African record of 19.46 seconds. This victory not only marks Tebogo as the first Olympic champion from Botswana but also positions him fifth on the all-time list for the event.
Tebogo, 21, surged ahead of American Kenneth Bednarek, who secured silver with a time of 19.62 seconds, while Noah Lyles, the reigning world champion and favorite for the event, took bronze in 19.70 seconds. Lyles’ performance was impacted by a recent COVID-19 diagnosis, which he revealed had affected his race.
This win is particularly poignant for Tebogo, who dedicated his medal to his late mother, Seratiwa, who passed away earlier this year. He wore spikes engraved with her birth date as a tribute during the race. Following the event, he expressed his joy, stating, “It was really a beautiful race for me,” and emphasized the significance of his win for Africa, saying it sends a strong message about the continent’s prowess in sprinting.
The results echoed the previous Olympic Games in Tokyo, where Bednarek and Lyles finished in the same positions, reinforcing their status as top competitors in the sprinting world. Tebogo’s victory not only highlights his talent but also sets the stage for a promising future as he competes alongside established stars like Lyles and Bednarek for years to come.