African Nation Takes Half-Day Off to Celebrate Olympic Champion
Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi declared a half-day public holiday on the afternoon of August 13th to celebrate Letsile Tebogo, the athlete who made history by winning the gold medal in the 200m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Hundreds of excited fans waving Botswana’s blue and black national flag gathered outside the airport in the capital, Gaborone, to greet the athletes returning from Paris.
Traditional dancers in animal skins and beadwork were also present, ready to celebrate as the athletes arrived. President Masisi even joined in by dancing on the airport tarmac under the shade of an assistant’s umbrella. After landing, the athletes joyfully danced with the performers in a traditional welcome ceremony.
The Botswana team members then paraded through the streets on a bus to the National Stadium, waving flags and greeting fans who were enjoying the half-day off declared by President Masisi to celebrate the nation’s success at the Olympics.
Botswana sent 11 athletes to the 2024 Paris Olympics and won two medals, both earned by Tebogo. On August 10th, Tebogo secured the gold medal in the 200m, finishing in 19.49 seconds and breaking the African record. This victory made him the first Botswanan athlete to win an Olympic gold medal. Tebogo also became the second African athlete to win an Olympic medal in the men’s 200m, following Namibia’s Frankie Fredericks, who won silver at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Tebogo is the first African athlete to win gold in this event.
Tebogo dedicated his 200m gold medal to his mother, Seratiwa, who passed away in May after a brief illness. He celebrated his victory by holding up his track spikes, which had his mother’s birthdate written on them, in front of the cameras.
“It’s like she was with me on the track, running every step of the way,” Tebogo shared. “This thought gave me so much motivation. I know she is watching over me and is very, very happy.”
On August 10th, Tebogo, along with Busang Kebinatshipi, Bayapo Ndori, and Anthony Pesela, also won a silver medal in the men’s 4x400m relay with a time of 2 minutes 55.83 seconds. Tebogo ran the final leg in 43.04 seconds. The U.S. team took the gold, setting an Olympic record with a time of 2 minutes 54.43 seconds.
Tebogo’s achievements have added to Botswana’s Olympic medal tally, bringing it to four. Botswana won its first medal when Nijel Amos claimed silver in the men’s 800m at the 2012 London Olympics, and the men’s 4x400m relay team won bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
