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Tebogo sets African record, wins Olympic gold

Tebogo’s time of 19.46 also set a new African record.

09 Aug 2024 09:12am
Botswana's Letsile Tebogo (R) crosses the finish line ahead of US' Kenneth Bednarek (down) and US' Noah Lyles (up) to win the men's 200m final of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 8, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
Botswana's Letsile Tebogo (R) crosses the finish line ahead of US' Kenneth Bednarek (down) and US' Noah Lyles (up) to win the men's 200m final of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 8, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

LUSAKA - Letsile Tebogo sprinted his way into the record books as men’s 200m Olympics champion, minting Africa’s first gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games.

Tebogo’s time of 19.46 also set a new African record.

Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi said the victory was a proud moment for Botswana.

"Your victory has inspired a nation and solidified your place among the world’s greatest athletes,” Anadolu Agency reported Masisi wrote on X.

Tebogo is the first African to win the 200m and first Botswanan to bring home gold at the Olympics.

His victory came one day after Muzala Samukonga from neighboring Zambia won bronze in the 400m.

"By competing against the world's finest athletes in the most esteemed global sporting event, Muzala has elevated our national flag and brought immense pride to his motherland,” Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema wrote on Facebook. - BERNAMA-ANADOLU AGENCY

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