Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi declared a public holiday Friday to honour Letsile Tebogo’s historic win in the men’s 200 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tebogo made history on Thursday when he became the first African to win gold in the men’s 200m event, finishing with a time of 19.46 seconds, ahead of Team USA runners Kenny Bednarek (19.62) and Noah Lyles (19.70). This victory also marked Botswana’s first-ever Olympic gold medal.
In recognition of Tebogo’s achievement, President Masisi announced that Friday afternoon would be a public holiday, allowing the nation to celebrate “Botswana’s sensation.”
Furthermore, the president underscores, recognises and acknowledges Letsile’s performance and achievement as 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, said Masisi in a press release.
During the press conference after his win, Tebogo dedicated his victory to his late mother, who passed away in May. He said his mother “would be one of the happiest people on the planet because she believed in me, and I had so much doubt for myself.”
Nonetheless, Tebogo said he “wasn’t under any pressure of getting a medal” when a reporter asked if he felt any pressure to represent Africa in the race.
“All that was important for us was seeing more Africans into the final,” he said.
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