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GABORONE. – Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi declared yesterday afternoon a public holiday to celebrate Letsile Tebogo taking the country’s first Olympic gold medal by winning the 200-metres sprint in Paris on Thursday.
Tebogo triumphed over US sprinters Kenny Bednarek and hot favourite Noah Lyles to claim Africa’s first 200m title and become the fifth-fastest man in history over the distance.
The 21-year-old ran in spikes bearing his mother’s date of birth, saying he carried her with him, in a tribute after she passed away in May.
“His Excellency President Masisi wishes to state that, on behalf of all of the citizenry, he applauds Letsile and gives thanks unceasingly to his late mother,” President Mokgweetsi Masisi wrote in a statement posted on X.
Masisi said Letsile’s achievement was “deserving of the nation to pause and celebrate him in a most unique, appropriate and responsible manner that will be etched in the annals of the history of the republic”.
Masisi had posted on Thursday that his voice was “completely gone” from shouting encouragement at the television as he watched Tebogo storm to the win in 19.46 seconds.
The 21-year-old scorched home in 19.46 seconds. He beat the American duo of Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles into second and third place respectively.
The men’s 200m has been a feature of the Olympic Games since the second edition in 1900. Since then, 17 of the winners have come from the United States. Jamaica, courtesy of Don Quarrie and Usain Bolt’s hat trick, boasts four.
“I’m the Olympic champion,” said Tebogo. “It’s something I have never seen in my life or dreamt of – it is an amazing moment.
“I just came here with the little that I had in me to push through and when I made it to the final my coach told me: ‘Now it’s your race.'”
Tebogo said his tactic was to keep Bednarek in his sights.
He finished in the fifth fastest time over the distance. – Agencies
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter