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Olympic Hero: "I've changed many lives in my home country"

Letsile Tebogo was hailed as a hero at home in Botswana after the Olympic Games success. But despite having been given two houses, he chooses to stay in his late mother's residence.

» Updated: 02 September 2024, 17:37

» Published: 22 August 2024

Olympic Hero: "I've changed many lives in my home country"
Photo: STR

The 21-year-old runner made history at the Olympic Games in Paris. He became the first African to win the 200 meters, and also brought Botswana's first Olympic gold.

Tebogo received a hero's welcome when he returned to Gaborone, where President Mokgweetsi Masisi quickly declared a half-day holiday to celebrate the medalist, and tens of thousands gathered to hail him.

It's completely crazy, summarizes Tebogo the uproar:

The support was overwhelming. I think my life has changed as a result of this, and I've also changed many lives in my home country, he says.

In addition to the sensational gold, he was also part of the 400-meter relay team that won a silver.

At Thursday evening's Diamond League gala in Lausanne, Switzerland, it's again the 200 meters that apply, but the runner says he's also considering focusing on the 400 meters alongside the 100 and 200.

Tebogo was awarded two houses by the government after the Paris Olympic Games.

I'll probably rent them out, because I'm not going to move from my mom's house, he says.

Tebogo's mother passed away in May this year, when Tebogo was in the USA. He held up his shoe after the gold race, with his mother's birthday inscribed.

It's been such a hard blow that has affected me so deeply that I'm still trying to get my confidence back in my body. It's not about injuries, it's about my mom, said the sprinter before the Olympic Games.

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By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

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