Letsile Tebogo made history at the Stade de France arena by becoming the first African Olympic Champion in the short sprint after winning the men’s 200m in a new African Record (AR) of 19.46s.
After missing out on a medal in the men’s 100m despite running a National Record (NR) of 9.86s, Tebogo shook things off and started his 200m campaign on a winning note in his heat with a solid 20.10s.
In the semifinals, he ran alongside the newly crowned Olympic 100m champion and 200m world champion Noah Lyles in his heat, blazing to the fastest time overall with a time of 19.96s while Lyles placed 2nd in 20.08s.
The final was a special moment for the Mostwana who sadly lost his mother in June and had to inscribe the initials on his fingers to feel her presence.
Tebogo didn’t give in to any pressure as he focused on his lane and ran his race, overtaking the rest of the field in the closing stages to win his maiden Olympic Title at just the age of 21, which doubled as his country’s first Olympic GOLD.
Kenny Bednarek and Lyles completed a 2-3 punch for the USA, claiming Silver and Bronze medals in a time of 19.62s and 19.70s, respectively.
