Botswana's Letsile Tebogo Inspires Youth as Olympic Gold Medalist

Letsile Tebogo, Botswana's first Olympic gold medalist in athletics, credits his success to sports, which he believes saved him from a life of crime. Raised by a single mother in the village of Kanye, he transitioned from football to sprinting, ultimately winning the men's 200m gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a record time of 19.46 seconds. Tebogo's background in a crime-ridden neighborhood instilled in him the importance of structure and perseverance through athletics, which he now promotes as an ambassador for World Athletics' Kids' Athletics program. He aims to inspire youth to engage in sports as a means to achieve their dreams and avoid negative influences. Despite facing personal challenges, including the loss of his mother, Tebogo's commitment to using sport for social change remains strong. His triumph has sparked increased interest in athletics among Botswana's youth, demonstrating the transformative power of sport.