Botswana's Letsile Tebogo aiming for Olympic glory after lessons from Bolt

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ATHLETICS Botswana's Letsile Tebogo aiming for Olympic glory after lessons from Bolt

Festus Chuma 09:00 - 18.01.2024

World 100m silver and 200m bronze medallist Letsile Tebogo sets sights on Paris Olympic glory as he focuses on mental preparedness.

World 100m silver and 200m bronze medallist Letsile Tebogo is setting his sights on the upcoming Paris Games, drawing inspiration from the legendary Usain Bolt.

The 20-year-old athlete, who made a remarkable impact at last year's World Championships, is tactfully planning his approach towards the much-anticipated global event starting on 26 July.

Tebogo's rise to prominence is not just about his swift feet but also his wise head.

"I don't have any goals for the Olympics because I haven't thought about what will happen," he stated in an interview with Newsday on the BBC World Service.

The youngster's thoughtful approach reflects a deeper understanding of the game and a strategic mindset.

"I need to sit down and see, and then set the goals. I will then announce my goals if I feel like it," Tebogo added, underlining his methodical approach.  

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His careful planning and reticence are partly attributed to the pressure of representing a country with a modest Olympic history.

Since its debut in the 1980 Olympics, his nation has secured only two medals, with no golds to their name.

The first medal was a silver won by Nijel Amos in the men's 800m at the 2012 Olympics, and the second, a bronze in the men's 4x400m relay at the Tokyo 2020 Games, won by Isaac Makwala, Bayapo Ndori, Zibane Ngozi, and Baboloki Thebe.

The spotlight is now firmly on Tebogo, a justified expectation given his impressive track record.

A two-time 100m champion at the world Under-20 level, he has also clinched two silver medals over 200m in 2021 and 2022.

His transition to the senior stage has been seamless, as evidenced by his silver in the 100m and bronze in the 200m at the World Championships in Hungary.

A significant source of inspiration for Tebogo is the sprint legend Usain Bolt. Tebogo admires Bolt's "relaxed" approach to races, a trait he believes was pivotal in the Jamaican's domination, which included eight Olympic sprint golds.

Emulating Bolt's mental focus and staying clear of distractions, especially social media, is a part of Tebogo's strategy.

"A lot of people decide to say whatever they want on social media and it can damage the mental health," he remarked, highlighting the importance of mental fortitude in high-stakes competitions.

"There is nothing you can do as a sprinter if your mental health is damaged because you won't be able to focus. There will always be good people and bad people."

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