Why Kenya holds a special place in Letsile Tebogo’s heart
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 13.01.25. | 08:01
The 2021 World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi marked a pivotal moment for Tebogo, then 17 years old
For Botswana’s sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo, Kenya is more than just a neighboring country; it is the site of a life-changing moment that solidified his path in athletics.
The 2021 World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi marked a pivotal moment for Tebogo, then 17 years old.
It was the first time he had flown to Kenya and he made the trip unforgettable by clinching his first gold medal.
He registered a blistering time of 10.19 seconds, outpacing South Africa's Benjamin Richardson (10.28) and Cuba's Shainer Rengifo (10.32) to win the 100m title.
That victory was the start of a dream.
Before his first gold medal, Tebogo was at a crossroads, torn between pursuing football or athletics as a career.
Gifted in both disciplines, he grappled with uncertainty about where his true potential lay.
However, his victory at the 2021 World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi served as a career compass, guiding him firmly toward athletics.
"My most memorable moment was when I won the first gold medal for Botswana in Kenya because that’s when I knew this could be something great and beautiful for the country and me as well," he recalled.
“I knew that I could change a few things in my country and family. Yeah, Kenya has a place in my heart all the time,” he added.
Despite being best known for his 100m exploits, Tebogo has made a conscious decision not to focus solely on the distance. The reason? Longevity.
“I believe that when you sprint the 100m for a long time, the body is going to shut down because you have been doing the same thing over and over again. I am also very young and I want to have a lengthy career,” he explained.
To maintain his edge and versatility, Tebogo mixes up his training by competing in various events, including the 200m, 400m, and the 4x400m relay.
This strategy helps keep his muscles sharp and prevents burnout.
“We weigh options of the 100m, 200m, 400m, and the 4x400m relay and just play with the muscles to see how the body responds. It will increase as the years go by, and we can’t put everything together now. We don’t want it to be game over for us after something like three years,” he offered.
The sprinter credited his success to his local coaches, while American coach John Smith provided additional guidance when needed.
In 2024, the Motswana bounced back from the death of his mother to claim a stunning gold at the Paris Games ahead of, amongst others, fan-favorite Noah Lyles.
He won in an African record of 19.46 seconds, a time that took him to fifth on the all-time list. Tebogo also became the first African to win the Olympic 200 meters.
He returned to a rapturous welcome in Gaborone after the triumph, Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi greeting the sprinter and other Olympic athletes after he had declared an impromptu half-day holiday.
Since winning gold at the Olympics, he has won the 200m at Diamond League events in Lausanne, Silesia, Rome, and Zurich, the latter in an outstanding 19.55sec in wet and cold conditions.
He ended his 2024 season with a loss after being defeated by Kenny Bednarek in the men's 200m final at the Brussels Diamond League.
He settled for the second position in 19:80s.
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