Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi has declared a public holiday on Friday August 9th 2024 in honor of sprinter Letsile Tebogo's win in the men's 200 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tebogo raced to gold in a dazzling performance that stunned a global audience; crossing the finish line in a time of 19.46 seconds as Team USA's Kenny Bednarek took silver in 19.62 seconds, and American world champion Noah Lyles earned bronze in 19.70.
The 21-year-old sprinter shattered Botswana's 200-meter national record, which previously stood at 19.50, and making history as the southern African nation's first Olympic gold medalist.
Letsile Tebogo, of Botswana, celebrates after winning gold in the men's 200-meter final, at the 2024 S...
He also made history as the first African to win a gold medal in the men's 200 meters in the Olympic Games.
In an announcement on Friday, Masisi declared an "afternoon day-off" for all Batswana and residents of the southern African nation, in what he called a "fitting tribute" to Tebogo, dubbed "Botswana's sensation."
"The president underscores, recognises 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," said Masisi.
