The President of Botswana, Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K Masisi, declared Friday afternoon a public holiday to celebrate Letsile Tebogo historic men’s 200 metres win to secure the country’s first Olympic gold medal in Paris on Thursday.
“His Excellency President Masisi wishes to state that, on behalf of all of the citizenry, he applauds Letsile and gives thanks unceasingly to his late mother,” President Masisi wrote in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter)
The Botswana president stated that Tebogo’s performance and achievement was “markedly outstanding and deserving of the nation to pause and celebrate him in a most unique, appropriate and responsible manner that will be etched in the annals of the history of the Republic.”
Tebogo became the first African to win the Olympic 200 metres title on Thursday when he ran the race of his life in Paris 2024 to storm clear of American duo Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles in 19.46 seconds.
The Botswana athlete also become the fifth-fastest man in history over the distance.
The 21-year-old dedicated Olympic gold to his mother Seratiwa, who died in May after a brief illness. He ran in spikes which had her date of birth.
President Masasi, had earlier posted on his official X account that his voice was completely gone from watching the phenomenal LetsileTebogo win gold.
He wrote, “History made! by our very own, Letsile Tebogo has sprinted his way into the record books as the new men’s 200m Olympic champion, with an incredible performance, setting a blazing time of 19.46 and breaking the African Record! Well done boy, your guardian angel in heaven is beaming with pride!”
Two years ago, at the World Athletics U20 Championships, Colombia, Tebogo broke the 100 metres world U20 record. Now, he is Olympic 200m champion and African record holder in the distance.
