'She was there to guide me'- Letsile Tebogo on how he felt late mother's presence in men's 200m final at Paris Olympics

'She was there to guide me'- Letsile Tebogo on how he felt late mother's presence in men's 200m final at Paris Olympics

Abigael Wafula 15:09 - 16.11.2024

Letsile Tebogo, inspired by his late mother, made history as the first African to win Olympic 200m gold, setting an African record and continuing his dominance in the Diamond League.

Letsile Tebogo has opened up on the ton of emotions running through his mind as he competed in the 200m at the Paris Olympic Games.

The Motswana youngster revealed that he felt his mother, Seratiwa Tebogo’s presence throughout the race and he knew he would meet her at the finish line, hence his dominant display.

He emerged winner, clocking a stunning 19.46 seconds, an African record, ahead of Kenny Bednarek, who finished second in 19.62 seconds. Pre-race favourite and three-time world 200m champion Noah Lyles rounded off the podium in 19.70 seconds.

Going into the race, Letsile Tebogo knew he had the responsibility to make his late mother proud and he sure put up a good fight to emerge champion, making history as the first African to win a gold medal in the 200m at an Olympic Games.

“My mum is just waiting for me at the finish line…I’m coming for that gold medal. My mum, she was just there to guide me, to show me the right path, I knew I was carrying her body on my back because she has been carrying me throughout my entire life. Against all odds, I did it, as an Olympic champion, I live with a happy smile, you know,” Letsile Tebogo said.

After the Paris Olympic Games, Letsile Tebogo still had it in him to continue his winning ways. He claimed top honours in the men’s 200m at the Diamond League Meeting in Lausanne as he clocked 19.64 seconds.

The world 100m silver medallist went on to win the 200m in 19.83 seconds at the meeting in Silesia. Letsile Tebogo then claimed top honours in the men’s 100m in Rome, clocking a stunning 9.87 seconds to cross the finish line.

The world 200m bronze medallist was not done with his winning ways as he went on to win the 200m at the Diamond League Meeting in Zurich in 19.55 seconds.

Tebogo raced at the Grand Prix Lombardia where he claimed top honours before rounding off his season with a second place finish behind Kenny Bednarek in the 200m at the Diamond League final in Brussels.

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