Botswana celebrates Letsile Tebogo’s win with a holiday.

Botswana has declared a national “afternoon day-off” on Friday to celebrate Letsile Tebogo’s historic achievement at the ongoing Paris Olympic games.

Tebogo surprised everyone by winning the men’s 200m race with a time of 19.46 seconds, securing the first gold for his nation. 

This victory marks the first gold medal for a Motswana and the first for any African in the history of the Olympics. 

In the race, Kenny Bednarek of the US took silver with a time of 19.62 seconds, and Noah Lyles, also from the US, claimed the bronze with a time of 19.70 seconds. 

This decision was announced by the Permanent Secretary of the President, Emma Peloetletse.

“His Excellency, Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, hereby declares to the nation, that he has found it a fitting tribute to Letsile Tebogo, “Botswana’s Sensation”, to grant Batswana and residents an afternoon day-off, on this very day, Friday, August 9, 2024,” it reads in part.

“The President, Emma, emphasizes, recognizes, and acknowledges Letsile’s performance and achievement. 

She described Tebogo’s achievement as outstanding and deserving of national recognition. 

Therefore, there is a need to pause and celebrate him in a unique, appropriate, and responsible manner that will be remembered in the history of the Republic.”

“Accordingly, His Excellency President Masisi, wishes to state that, on behalf of all of the citizenry, he applauds Letsile and gives thanks unceasingly to his late mother,” it further reads.

After finishing the race, Tebogo displayed his running shoe bearing his mother, the late Seratiwa’s date of birth.

“It’s basically me carrying her through every stride that I take inside the field,” the sprinter, who took a month off training and competition after her death said in an interview.

“It gives me a lot of motivation. She’s watching up there, and she’s really, really happy. I didn’t want to put the date of her death, because I’ll get emotional.”

Tebogo added: “It was really a beautiful race for me. That’s all I could’ve wished for. I’m happy I finished the race healthier than before”.

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