Letsile Tebogo credits athletics for crime prevention in Botswana

Letsile Tebogo, the Olympic 200m champion from Botswana, attributes his success to athletics, which he believes saved him from a life of crime amid the challenges of his upbringing. After winning gold in Paris with a time of 19.46 seconds, making him Botswana's first Olympic champion, Tebogo has taken on the role of ambassador for the World Athletics' Kids Athletics programme, aimed at inspiring youth to engage in sports. He reflects on how sports kept him focused, preventing him from straying into criminal behavior, and he actively encourages young people in his community to pursue athletics and other sports. Tebogo's journey emphasizes the transformative power of sports in shaping lives and reducing crime rates among youth in Botswana. His story resonates with many, as he now aims to motivate the next generation to find purpose through athletics. The Kids Athletics programme promotes participation among children aged four to fourteen through fun, modified competitions.