Letsile Tebogo first stunned the world at the Athletics World Championships last year. His mother, Seratiwa, watched her son become the first Botswanan man to win the championship. As the sprinter stepped into the Stade de France, all he had his sights set on was claiming an Olympic gold to his name. While he missed out on the podium during the 100m finals on August 4, he still had one more chance to shoot his shot at the French capital.
The 21-year-old locked horns with America’s Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek in the 200m finals on August 8. Seeing how Lyles had already clinched a gold in the 100m, he was poised as the favorite to breeze past the finish line this time around too. But the Botswanan left everyone’s jaw on the floor as he blazed past his competitors, rightfully claiming a stunning victory. Unlike the championships last year, Tebogo’s mother wasn’t cheering him on in the stands this time around.
After a brief period of illness, his mother unfortunately passed away on May 19 of this year. While the sprinter was understandably devastated by this news, he shifted his focus to looking after his 12-year-old sister and training for the Summer Games. As soon as he sprinted past the finish, he paid a heartwarming tribute to his mom by holding his shoe up to the camera. An eagle-eyed fan shared the moment on X.
Letsile Tebogo’s mother died in May aged 43
Three months later he is the Olympic 200m champion
His mum was with him in spirit #Olympics #Paris2024 #200m pic.twitter.com/wAj1t2vHAs
— Francis Keogh (@HonestFrank) August 8, 2024
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