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Newly crowned Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo agrees with Rai Benjamin on the 'Face of Athletics' debate, affirming the title belongs to Noah Lyles.
Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo maintains his stand on Noah Lyles being the 'Face of Athletics' and he hasn't done anything spectacular yet to earn the title.
The Botswana speed king has had the spotlight on him since his historic feat of becoming his country's first Olympic gold medallist in Paris, in which he defeated Lyles to accomplish the moment, doesn't feel it's enough to earn the bragging rights of being the face of athletics.
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"Even today, I'm still not the face of athletics. I saw Rai's (Benjamin) interview he said that Noah changed the sport which I believe he did. I haven't changed anything, I just came in and won the gold medal," he said during the Rome Diamond League press conference.
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15:18 - 28.08.2024
A prayer for my mother: Letsile Tebogo asks for blessings, presents Olympic-winning spikes to Pope Francis in Rome
Letsile Tebogo was received at the Vatican by Pope Francis with prayers for his late mother and received the Holy Father's signature on his Paris Olympics-winning spikes.
"He has been there and consistent throughout the years, so I think after being consistent also, I can say I can be the face of athletics," added Tebogo.
"But when you talk, you'll say he won Africa's first gold medal but in reality, we know if there's somebody who could be there, it's still Noah," he concluded.
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Tebogo's stand isn't far-fetched considering Lyles is a six-time world champion and a three-time Olympic medallist. The American speedster has dominated the 200m scene since 2022 but made a bold statement by winning the world 100m title in Budapest last year and adding the Olympic gold in Paris.
Lyles' vocal personality has brought more attention to track and field in the past year, despite making himself the villain, yet he still delivers on the big stage when it matters most.
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15:30 - 26.08.2024
Big gains for Noah Lyles and Sha'Carri Richardson as they top social charting record post-Paris Olympics
Noah Lyles and Sha'Carri Richardson lead a social media chart as well as five other track and field stars post-Paris Olympics.
Meanwhile, Tebogo made a huge transmission from junior to senior level in Budapest, when he became the first African to win a medal (silver) in the men's 100m in the history of the world championships.
His historic performance in Paris only propelled his name as a worthy contender and challenger to Lyles' dominance, which bode for an exciting rivalry in the coming years.
Tebogo has been on tour since Paris, having attended the two Diamond League events post-Olympics from Lausanne to Silesia, winning the 200m events on both occasions, while Lyles announced an end to his 2024 season.
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20:33 - 28.08.2024
Letsile Tebogo takes on Fred Kerley and other Olympic finalists as Christian Coleman seeks redemption in Rome
Letsile Tebogo, Fred Kerley, and other Olympic finalists will return for the Rome Diamond League, where Christian Coleman will be seeking redemption in a tantalizing 100m battle.
The Botswana speedster is scheduled to compete in the 100m in Rome against Paris bronze medallist Fred Kerley and world indoor champion Christian Coleman, which he'll be seeking another famous win.
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