Botswana grants exceptional afternoon off for Tebogo’s gold

The Botswana government has decided to grant Friday afternoon free from work to its population to celebrate the Olympic title of sprinter Letsile Tebogo, the first African athlete to be crowned champion in the 200 metres.

President Mokgweetsi MasisHe said Tebogo was “the sensation of Botswana” and that his performance would go down in history. He therefore decided to reward the population with an afternoon off, as a collective tribute to the celebrations for Thursday’s success in Paris.

The victorious half-lap of the young 21-year-old sprinter, who with 19 seconds and 46 hundredths signed an African record, It was one of the most exciting races in athletics at these Olympic Games. Tebogo finished ahead of two American figures, Kenny Bednarek (19.62) and Noah Lyles (19.70).

The latter was the favourite, after having won gold in the 100 metres, But after the race he revealed that he was not 100% fit as he was sick with Covid-19.

Right after finishing the test There were celebrations in the streets and bars of Botswana. Young people in the country celebrated with songs and dances at the University of Botswana, according to videos posted on social media, where messages of congratulations and pride for their compatriot’s success have multiplied since Thursday.

Botswana had never won gold at the Olympic Games. Thursday’s medal was her third at the event, all three of which have come in athletics.