The President of Botswana has declared Friday afternoon, August 9, a public holiday to celebrate Letsile Tebogo’s historic victory as the country’s first Olympic gold medalist.
Tebogo won the 200-meter sprint in Paris on Thursday, surpassing U.S. sprinters Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles.
His victory 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 ran in spikes featuring his mother’s date of birth, dedicating the win to her memory after her passing in May.
“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 Mokgweetsi Masisi wrote in a statement posted on X.
Masisi said Letsile’s achievement was “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 “
Masisi had posted on Thursday that his voice was “completely gone” from shouting encouragement at the television as he watched Tebogo storm to the win in 19.46 seconds.
