In the afterglow of their history-making triumphs at the Paris Olympics, the nation’s astral delights of Tebogo, Kebinatshipi and Ndori are aiming to assert their status as the very best and among the best in the world and more in Lausanne. TLOTLO KEBINAKGABO sees them forging ahead
Just a few weeks after his historic triumph at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Letsile Tebogo is set to make his return to the tracks at the Lausanne Diamond League meet tomorrow (Thursday 22 August).
The world will be watching as Tebogo, Botswana’s leading star athlete, seeks to extend his streak for gold after his sensational performance in Paris.
He etched his name into history as the first Motswana and first African to claim an Olympic title in the 200m race when he defied the odds and outpaced favourites like Noah Lyles to clinch gold.
Botswana’s first-ever Olympic gold
This marked Botswana’s first-ever Olympic gold in any sport and only its second individual Olympic medal following Nigel Amos’s silver in the 800m at the 2012 London Games.
In addition to his individual success, Tebogo played a pivotal role in securing Botswana’s second medal in 4x400m relay at the Paris Olympics, anchoring the Botswana men’s team to a silver medal for finishing just behind the dominant Team USA.
His influence on the track was undeniable as he once again demonstrated his ability to rise to the occasion on the world’s biggest stage.
Formidable challenges in Lausanne
Tebogo returns to competition in Lausanne where he is expected to be the athlete to beat in the 200m because he will enter the race as the reigning Olympic champion who currently holds the best time in the world this year – a blistering 19.46 seconds – that he recorded to claim his Olympic title.
However, the Lausanne track will present formidable challenges. Tebogo will face fierce competition from US sprinter Fred Kerley, who took bronze in the 100m race in Paris, and Erriyon Knighton, also of the US, who finished fourth in the 200m race final at the Olympics from second at last year’s World Championships in Budapest.
Both athletes are hungry for redemption and will certainly push Tebogo to his limits.
Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga
In addition to Tebogo, Botswana will be well-represented in Lausanne by Collen Kebinatshipi and Bayapo Ndori, both of whom were instrumental in the country’s 4x400m relay success in Paris.
Kebinatshipi and Ndori will compete in the 400m race where they will face a highly competitive field.
Ndori, with a season best (SB) of 44.10s, and Kebinatshipi, with an SB of 44.43s, will be up against the likes of Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga, who claimed bronze in the 400m in Paris and boasts an SB of 43.74s and Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith, who has clocked an impressive SB of 43.44s this year.
Olympic momentum
As the Lausanne meet approaches, the anticipation is palpable. Botswana’s athletes are riding high on the momentum of their Olympic success, and all eyes will be on them as they take to the track once more.
For Tebogo, Kebinatshipi and Ndori, the Lausanne Diamond League is not just another race – it is an opportunity to cement their status as some of the world’s best athletes further.