Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, the newly minted Olympic 200m champion, is set to conclude his remarkable season with a keen eye on victory in the Diamond League finals in Brussels this Saturday. Tebogo, who has been lauded for his resilience and performance, expressed feeling “energised” ahead of the culmination of what has been a defining year for him.
The 21-year-old athlete has had an exceptional season, which saw him triumph at the Paris Olympics with a ground-breaking 200m gold medal. Tebogo clinched this victory in an African record time of 19.46 seconds, propelling him to fifth on the all-time list and marking him as the first African to win the Olympic 200 meters. This victory was made even more poignant as it followed the devastating loss of his mother in May.
Reflecting on his achievements at a press conference on Thursday, Tebogo acknowledged a new era dawning in track and field, one that is emerging from the towering shadow of Usain Bolt. “People always have their own opinions about how you look at one particular person,” Tebogo noted. “For me, I believe there’s a new generation coming up. I believe we’ve passed that [Bolt] era but we didn’t yet surpass his goals in track and field.”
His season resume includes impressive wins at Diamond League events in Lausanne, Silesia, Rome, and Zurich. His remarkable time of 19.55 seconds in Zurich, under wet and cold conditions, signaled his consistent top-tier performance. As Yohan Blake’s longstanding stadium record of 19.26 seconds in Brussels comes into focus, Tebogo remains cautiously optimistic about potentially setting a new record, choosing not to burden himself with undue pressure.
The excitement is palpable ahead of the showdown at the Diamond League finals, a prestigious event that marks the end of the elite 14-meet circuit. Tebogo will face formidable competitors, including Liberia’s Joseph Fahnbulleh and strong American contingents comprising Kenny Bednarek, Erriyon Knighton, and Fred Kerley. “It’s two Africans against the rest of the world,” affirmed Tebogo, highlighting the competitive spirit of the event. “I believe it’s going to be a good race! It’s a good thing to end the season with that winning streak, with that Olympic gold and Diamond League trophy.”
Beyond the track, Tebogo’s triumphs have stirred national pride in Botswana. His return to Gaborone was heralded with fanfare, where he was greeted by President Mokgweetsi Masisi and thousands of jubilant supporters. Reflecting on the warm reception, Tebogo shared, “It was a proud moment seeing the thousands of people waiting for me at the stadium. It was amazing for me.”
Tebogo’s journey this season also included a thrilling silver in the 4x400m relay in Paris. With eyes on future endeavors, he hinted at transitioning to the 400m event post the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. “I have to get the job done in the 100m and then move up to the 400,” he explained. However, Tebogo reaffirmed his affinity for the 200m, noting its less technical nature compared to the 100m, allowing room to correct mistakes and push limits.
As he stands on the brink of solidifying his status as one of track’s rising stars, Letsile Tebogo’s story is a testament to resilience, talent, and the promise of a new generation poised to etch their names in the annals of sprinting history.
