Botswana has declared a national “afternoon day-off” on Friday to honor Letsile Tebogo’s remarkable accomplishment at the ongoing Paris Olympic Games.
Tebogo surprised many by defeating Noah Lyles of the United States, who was favored to win the men’s 200m race, finishing with a time of 19.46 seconds and securing the first gold medal for his country.
Kenny Bednarek, also from the US, earned a silver medal with a time of 19.62 seconds, while Lyles took bronze with a time of 19.70 seconds.
A statement from the Permanent Secretary of the President, Emma Peloetletse, indicates that this decision was made in recognition of Tebogo being the first Motswana and the first African to achieve a gold medal in Olympic history.
“His Excellency, Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, has deemed it appropriate to honor Letsile Tebogo, known as ‘Botswana’s Sensation,’ by granting Batswana and residents an afternoon day-off on this significant day, Friday, August 9, 2024,” the statement partially reads.
The President, as noted by Emma, emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating Letsile’s extraordinary performance and achievement.
She described Tebogo’s success as exceptional and worthy of national celebration, highlighting the need to commemorate this moment in a unique, fitting and responsible manner that will be remembered in the history of the Republic.
