Tebogo = 2024
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday December 21, 2024 06:00
He did not waste time. At just 21-years-old, he has already etched his name into the history books as 2024's top sprinter. With his reign is expected to continue into 2025 at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships. Tebogo closed off the year by winning the World Athletics Men’s Athlete of the Year award. The sprint sensation started off the season on a high note following his blistering performance from 2023 where he won a silver medal at the World Athletics Championships. In May, Tebogo powered the men’s 4x400m relay team to a gold medal at the World Relays that were held in the Bahamas. Upon arrival at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Kanye-born star was already under the watchful eye of the world. The Americans, especially Olympic 100m champion, Noah Lyles, felt the debutant's presence and threat.
Tebogo was part of the men’s 100m final at the Paris 2024 Olympics and made history as the first race in which all eight athletes broke the 10-second barrier. His hopes were dashed when he finished in position six clocking 9.86, albeit setting a new National Record (NR). Tebogo made history and brought joy and jubilation to Batswana and the entire African continent when he won the men’s 200m gold medal. He stunned the entire field with a time of 19.46 seconds, setting a new African Record (AR) and a new NR. The talented star did not rest as he anchored the men’s 4x400m relay that consisted of Bayapo Ndori, Collen Kebinatshipi, and Anthony Pesela to bag a silver medal, stopping the clock at 2:54.53. The team has booked itself a ticket to the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships. Even though Tebogo was flying on the track, he was still mourning the passing of his mother, Seratiwa Elizabeth Tebogo, who was his pillar of strength and biggest supporter. The Olympic champion wore spikes engraved with her date of birth. Upon returning home after the Olympic triumph, the government declared the day a public holiday.
Batswana, together with the former president Mokgweetsi Masisi, lined up the streets of Gaborone before proceeding to the National Stadium where they danced and sang in honour of the athletic team's achievement and Tebogo's marvellous feat. He was also awarded two houses for his achievements. Tebogo’s star continued to shine when he became the first recipient of the newly inaugurated Jesse Owens Rising Star Award at the Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels in September. In October, for his historic performance of getting Botswana’s first Olympic gold medal, Tebogo received the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) award for Best Male Athlete of Paris 2024. He is now in a better position to walk away with the Sport Person of the Year Award and Best Male of the Year Award at the 2025 Botswana Sport Awards.