Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi has declared this Friday, August 9th, a public holiday to honor Letsile Tebogo.
Tebogo, who is 21, won gold in the 200m at the Paris 2024 Olympics, becoming the first Motswana and the first African to achieve this feat.
Tebogo won the 200m final with a record time of 19.46 seconds, beating American Kenneth Bednarek, who finished in 19.62 seconds. Although Tebogo had a personal best of 19.50 seconds and came 6th in the 100m, he exceeded expectations to secure the gold medal.
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Letsile Tebogo, of Botswana, second left, wins the men’s 200-meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (photo credit X)
In a statement released on Friday, Emmah A. Peloetletse, the Permanent Secretary to the President, announced that President Masisi is granting Batswana and residents an afternoon off to celebrate Tebogo’s historic win. The statement reads:
“His Excellency, Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, has decided to grant Batswana and residents an afternoon off on Friday, August 9, 2024, to honor Mr. Letsile Tebogo, ‘Botswana’s Sensation.’ This decision is to recognize Letsile Tebogo as the first Motswana and first African to win a gold medal in the 200m at the Olympics.
The President acknowledges Letsile’s remarkable achievement and believes it is important for the nation to celebrate this milestone in a memorable and fitting way. President Masisi also extends his gratitude to Tebogo and his late mother.
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