Letsile Tebogo rose from humble beginnings to become Botswana’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist in athletics.
Raised by a single mother in the village of Kanye, his journey, shaped by the transformative power of sport, has not only altered his own destiny but also inspired a new generation of African athletes.
Escaping Hardship Through Sport
The 21-year-old sprinter, who won the men’s 200m gold at Paris 2024, admits that without athletics, his life could have taken a very different turn.
“Without sport, I [would] probably be a criminal by now,” Tebogo told BBC Sport Africa.
“In the neighborhood I grew up in, there were a lot of criminals. We thought that was the only way to survive.”
Initially a footballer, Tebogo played as a left winger before discovering his talent for sprinting in primary school.
His rigorous training schedule kept him occupied, steering him away from the negative influences that plagued his community.
“I knew I had to go from school to training, and after that, you are tired. You don’t have plenty of time to roam the streets or break into houses,” he explained.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Given his personal journey, Tebogo has taken up the role of ambassador for World Athletics’ Kids’ Athletics programme, which aims to promote physical activity among children.
“Athletics has given me so many opportunities, and I want young people to believe in themselves, dream big, and enjoy the sport,” he said.
He sees sports as a tool for social change, preventing youth from engaging in crime and substance abuse.
His new status as an Olympic champion has already fueled interest in sports among Botswana’s youth, as he proudly noted:
“After the Olympics, a lot of youngsters are now more interested in doing sports—not just athletics but also other disciplines. They want to become the face of their sport.”
Making History in Paris
Before his African record-setting 200m victory at the Olympics, Tebogo was already a rising star, having won two World U-20 titles in the 100m.
His triumph in Paris 2024 saw Botswana declare a national holiday in his honor, and thousands of fans welcomed him home as a hero.
Tebogo also anchored Botswana to silver in the 4x400m relay, finishing behind the United States. His achievements earned him recognition as a World Athlete of the Year nominee.
Rivalry and Respect with Noah Lyles
Following his 200m Olympic gold, Tebogo made headlines by stating that he could not be the face of athletics because he is not as “arrogant and loud” as Noah Lyles, the American sprint star who won 100m gold and 200m bronze.
However, he has since clarified his comments, acknowledging Lyles’ role in promoting the sport.
“When you get on the track, it’s all about business. But when we finish, we become friends,” Tebogo said.
“Noah is good at selling our sport because he knows what to do. But I will always shy away from that because that’s just who I am.”
A New Challenge: Testing His Limits in the 400m
To improve his endurance, Tebogo has spent the early part of the 2025 season competing in 400m races, securing one victory in four outings.
His focus will now shift back to the 200m, starting with a continental tour event in Gaborone this weekend—his first home race since the Olympics.
“It means a lot to me because my people want to see what I did at the Olympics. That’s what we are planning to give them,” he said.
Botswana to Host a Historic World Athletics Event
In 2026, Botswana will become the first African nation to host a senior World Athletics event—the World Relay Championships.
Tebogo believes this landmark competition will inspire young athletes, providing them with a tangible dream to chase.
“Maybe we will see new faces during the 2026 World Relays because so many young athletes are now working hard to compete on home soil,” he said.
