Letsile Tebogo’s golden tribute to late mother

3 News

Thu 08th Aug, 2024 19:22

Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo transformed an unimaginable loss into a powerful victory by dedicating his Olympic 200m gold medal to his late mother, Seratiwa Tebogo.

The 21-year-old’s emotional tribute added deep meaning to his remarkable performance at the Stade de France on Thursday evening, where he won in front of a packed crowd.

Tebogo’s mother, who had been his unwavering supporter, passed away in May, just months before the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite his grief, Tebogo channelled his sorrow into a record-breaking run, setting a new African record of 19.46 seconds to claim the gold.

American Noah Lyles, a heavy favourite after winning the 100m, finished third, while his compatriot Kenneth Bednarek took second place. Tebogo’s victory was made even more poignant by the initials of his mother, which he had painted on his nails—a small but powerful reminder of her love and support.

Just last year, Seratiwa Tebogo had proudly watched her son become the first African man to win a medal in the 100m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. Her passing was a devastating blow, but Tebogo turned his grief into strength on the track.

His gold medal is more than just a sporting achievement; it’s a tribute to his mother and a symbol of triumph over adversity.

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