Half-Day Holiday Declared in Botswana to Honor Letsile Tebogo's Gold Medal Win at the Olympics

Botswana has declared a half-day public holiday to celebrate Letsile Tebogo's remarkable achievement at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

On August 8, 2024, Tebogo clinched the gold medal in the 200 meters sprint, marking the first Olympic gold for Botswana and making him the first native African to win this event.

His victory was not just a personal triumph but a major milestone for African sprinters, as he completed the race in an impressive 19.46 seconds, becoming the fifth-fastest man in history over the distance.

The announcement of the half-day holiday was made by President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi on August 9, 2024.

The president expressed immense pride and gratitude, stating that Tebogo's achievement was "deserving of the nation to pause and celebrate him in a most unique, appropriate and responsible manner that will be etched in the annals of the history of the Republic."

This sentiment was echoed across the country as citizens and residents were given the afternoon off to honor Tebogo's historic win.

Tebogo's journey to this monumental victory is a testament to his dedication and resilience. Born on June 7, 2003, in Kanye, Botswana, Tebogo has been a rising star in athletics.

He gained international recognition at the age of 17 during the 2021 World Athletics Relays in Poland and continued to break records and set new benchmarks in subsequent competitions. Notably, he became the first man from Botswana to break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters event.

His performance at the Paris Olympics was particularly poignant as he ran in spikes bearing his mother's date of birth, paying tribute to her after she passed away in May.

President Masisi highlighted this emotional aspect, noting that Tebogo carried his mother's memory with him during the race, which added a deeply personal layer to his victory.