Botswana is agog with the welcome of Letsile Tebogo and their national heroes at Paris 2024 Olympics, having over 30,000 citizens gathered in their biggest stadium.
Over 30,000 Batswana gathered in their biggest stadium for the homecoming of their Paris 2024 Olympic hero Letsile Tebogo, who won their country's first gold medal in the Games history.
Letsile Tebogo's heroic exploits at Paris 2024
The youngster stunned pre-race favourite and world champion Noah Lyles to the 200m gold medal, clocking a blistering new lifetime best and African Record (AR) of 19.46s.
By doing this, the 21-year-old became Botswana and Africa's first Olympic gold medallist in any sprint event, thus cementing his name as one of the best sprinters to come out of the continent.
Not done with his iconic performance in the 200m, Tebogo displayed his speed prowess again in the men's 4x400m final as he anchored Botswana to the silver medal, recording the second-fastest split time of in history.
He came close to winning the gold medal as he made a move in the last 50m, but USA's Rai Benjamin held firm to bring Team USA to victory in a new Olympic Record of 2:54.43.
Notwithstanding, Bayapo Ndori, Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, Anthony Pesela, and Tebogo claimed the silver medal by breaking their African Record in a new 2:54.53, while Great Britain got the Bronze in an European Record of 2:55.83.
15:38 - 09.08.2024
Paris 2024: What Usain Bolt, Ta Lou-Smith, and Simbine had to say about Tebogo's Olympic gold historic feat
Track superstars have taking turns to congratulate Letsile Tebogo on his historic feat of winning the Paris 2024 Olympic 200m gold medal, and Usain Bolt top this star-studded list.
Following the record-breaking race, the official splits time showed the Botswanan with the fastest of 43.03s - the second-fastest in history behind the legendary Michael Johnson's 42.94s clocked in 1993.
Great Britain's Matthew Hudson-Smith also had a fast time at 43.09s, while Benjamin's 43.18s finished as the third-fastest.
23:21 - 10.08.2024
Paris 2024: Letsile Tebogo records second-fastest split time in history as he anchors Botswana to 4x400m Olympic silver
Letsile Tebogo is considering running the 400m in 2025 after clocking the second-fastest split time in history to anchor Botswana to the Olympic silver medal in the men's 4x400m event.
Tebogo's exceptional outing made him one of the standout performers in Paris, hence rating his talent as the top favourite to break Usain Bolt's sprint World Records.
Public holiday and thousands of Batswana gather for Tebogo's homecoming
His exploits will see the President of Botswana Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi declare a public holiday in the country for their speed king, a honour that has now been followed with another free day for his homecoming.
10:44 - 09.08.2024
Paris 2024: Botswana President declares public holiday for Letsile Tebogo following historic Olympic feat
The President of Botswana has honoured Letsile Tebogo's Paris 2024 Olympic exploits by declaring a public afternoon day off for its citizens.
From the airport and all the streets in Botswana, thousands of people are gathered in blue, black, and white colours for their Olympic champion and medallists.
Below are more electrifying images and videos from the iconic occasion in honour of Tebogo.