Now the 2024 Male World Athlete of the Year, Letsile Tebogo’s exploits have elevated Botswana to the global stage and ignited a wave of pride across the African continent – one sprint at a time
GAZETTE REPORTER
Even with the track and field season in a hiatus, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo continues to rewrite the narrative of African athletics.
At the World Athletics Awards in Monaco over the weekend, the 21-year-old sprinter was crowned the 2024 Male Track Athlete of the Year and 2024 Male World Athlete of the Year, a testament to his meteoric rise on the global stage.
Tebogo’s remarkable journey this year reached its zenith at the Paris Olympics where he sprinted into history by securing Africa’s first Olympic gold medal in athletics.
Outpacing Noah Lyles
His awe-inspiring victory in the men’s 200m race, clocked at 19.46s, shattered the African record and silenced Stade de France with its brilliance. Outpacing American favourite Noah Lyles, Tebogo delivered a performance that transcended sports.
“This victory isn’t just for me; it’s for Botswana, for Africa,” he declared after his win in 200m at the Olympics earlier this year. “We’ve shown we can compete with the best.”
But the Kanye-born star was not done. Hours after his historic solo triumph, Tebogo anchored the Botswana men’s 4x400m relay team to a dramatic silver medal. Racing alongside Bayapo Ndori, Collen Kebinatshipi, and Anthony Pesela, the quartet finished a whisker behind the United States.
Formidable force
Their time of 2:54.53 narrowly missed the Americans’ Olympic record of 2:54.43, showcasing Botswana’s emergence as a formidable force in track and field.
The double-medal haul from Paris marks a watershed moment for Botswana, a nation that entered the Games with only two Olympic medals – Nijel Amos’s silver in the 800m at the 2012 London Games and a bronze from the men’s 4x400m relay in Tokyo 2021.
Tebogo’s exploits have elevated Botswana to the global stage and ignited a wave of pride across the African continent.
The 21-year-old sprinter’s story is one of resilience, talent and an unyielding belief in the possibilities for African athletes. His trailblazing season, capped by two World Athletics awards, signals the dawn of a new era for a region long underestimated in global athletics.
“This is just the beginning”
Reflecting on his journey, Tebogo remained focused on the road ahead. “This is just the beginning,” he said, gripping his award. “I’m here to show what Botswana can do – not just in athletics but in everything. The future is ours.”
As he continues to collect accolades and smash records, Tebogo embodies the promise of a continent. From Kanye to the world, his rise is a story of inspiration, one sprint at a time.