By Ziyah News Sports Reporter
The people of Botswana are in triumphant mood, and rightfully so as their King of the track, Letsile Tebogo is now an Olympic Champion. No one can begrudge them as the young man blazed through the 200m Olympic final race in style to claim gold, in field where he was pitted against the much fancied Americans in Noah Lyles the 100m champion.As they celebrated late into the night, the President of the Southern African nation wasted no time in declaring the 9th of August as public holiday to honour the young man’s feat.
“His Excellency, Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, hereby declares to the nation, that he has found it a fitting tribute to Mr. Letsile Tebogo, “Botswana’s Sensation”, to grant Botswana and residents an afternoon day-off, on this very day, Friday the 9th August, 2024, read a statement from the Presidency.
President Masisi’s declaratory statement, recognises the achievement of Tebogo not only as the first Botswana to win gold in the 200m race but also the first African too.
“The decision has been duly made to recognize and honour Letsile Tebogo as the first Motswana and first African to win a Gold Medal for 200m in the history of the Olympics. Furthermore, the President underscores, recognizes and acknowledges Letsile’s performance and achievement as markedly outstanding, and deserving of the nation to pause and celebrate him in a most unique, appropriate and responsible manner, that will be etched in the annals of the history of the Republic.”