The President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi has declared Friday afternoon a public holiday to celebrate Letsile Tebogo’s historic victory, as he claimed the country’s first Olympic gold medal by winning the 200-metre sprint in Paris on Thursday.
Tebogo’s triumph over U.S. sprinters Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles not only secured Africa’s first 200m title but also made him the fifth-fastest man in history over the distance.
The 21-year-old athlete ran in spikes inscribed with his mother’s date of birth, paying tribute to her after her passing in May, symbolically carrying her with him during the race.
“His Excellency President Masisi wishes to express, on behalf of all citizens, deep admiration for Letsile and heartfelt gratitude for his late mother,” President Mokgweetsi Masisi wrote in a statement posted on X.
Masisi added that Tebogo’s achievement is “worthy of a national pause, to celebrate him in a unique, appropriate, and responsible way that will forever be remembered in the history of the Republic.”
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