Botswana erupted in jubilation as Letsile Tebogo returned home with the nation’s first Olympic gold medal, a historic achievement that has ignited pride and inspiration across the southern African country.
Upon the Olympic team’s arrival at Gaborone’s small airport, a sea of supporters, including families with children, elderly citizens, and enthusiastic youth, waved Botswana’s vibrant national flag. The impromptu half-day holiday declared by President Mokgweetsi Masisi allowed hundreds to gather and witness the triumphant return.
As the athletes disembarked, Masisi danced on the tarmac, an aide holding an umbrella to shield him from the sun. Outside, traditional dancers adorned in animal skins and beads performed a vibrant welcoming ceremony.
“Tebogo has made history not only for Botswana but for Africa,” Masisi proclaimed to a crowd of over 20,000 that filled the city’s national stadium.
Tebogo, 21, became the first African to win the men’s 200m, setting an African record time of 19.46sec in Paris on August 8. He surged past Americans Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles, securing gold and boosting Botswana’s Olympic medal tally to four, including a silver in the men’s 4x400m relay.
“I implore you to shower him and other participants with any kind of gifts that you may have,” Masisi urged the crowd.
The sports minister announced that Tebogo would receive two houses from the government, while the other relay team members would each receive one.
“This is a happy moment,” Tebogo expressed to the stadium. “I would like to thank the nation for rallying behind me. I went through a lot,” he said, referring to the loss of his mother in May.
After crossing the 200m finish line in Paris, Tebogo held up his running shoes, which bore the birthdate of his mother, his inspiration.
Masisi had previously granted the nation of 2.3 million people a half-day off to celebrate on August 9.
Tebogo is only the second African athlete to win an Olympic medal in the men’s 200m, following Namibian Frankie Fredericks’ silver in Atlanta in 1996. Botswana’s first Olympic medal came in 2012 when Nijel Amos took silver in the 800m, and its men’s 4x400m relay team won bronze in Tokyo in 2021.
Botswana’s success in Paris contributed to Africa’s impressive medal haul of 39, surpassing the 37 medals won at the Tokyo Games. Kenya led the continent with 11 medals in the French capital.
Half of the finalists in the men’s 200m where Tebogo triumphed were African athletes, showcasing the continent’s growing prowess in shorter events beyond its dominance in longer distances.
