Team Botswana and Letsile Tebogo received a hero’s welcome home on Tuesday after winning their first Olympic gold medal in the men’s 200m final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Multitudes flocked to Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in the capital Gaborone, while others gathered at Botswana’s national stadium, taking advantage of the half-day off declared by President Mokgweetsi Masisi to welcome the team and celebrate their outstanding performance.
Botswana fans, both young and old, lined the road to greet Team Botswana as they arrived at the stadium in a convoy of motorbikes, buses, and a double-decker bus.
Masisi praised the squad’s success and promised that everyone on the team will be rewarded, noting that Tebogo was the first African to win the men’s 200m, and his time was an African record.
For his part, the 21-year-old sprinter praised the team, the government, and fans from throughout the country and around the world.
At the just concluded Paris Olympics, the team won two medals, including the silver medal in the men’s 4x400m relay. ■
Supporters gather at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport to welcome team Botswana back from the Paris 2024 Olympics in Gaborone, Botswana, on Aug. 13, 2024. Team Botswana and Letsile Tebogo received a hero’s welcome home on Tuesday after winning their first Olympic gold medal in the men’s 200m final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.(Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua)
Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi (5th R), Vice President Slumber Tsogwane (3rd R), Tumiso Rakgare (2nd R), Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, and team Botswana pose for group photos during a welcome home ceremony at National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana, on Aug. 13, 2024. Team Botswana and Letsile Tebogo received a hero’s welcome home on Tuesday after winning their first Olympic gold medal in the men’s 200m final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.(Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua)
Botswanan Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalist Letsile Tebogo in the men’s 200m event attends a welcome home ceremony at National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana, on Aug. 13, 2024. Team Botswana and Letsile Tebogo received a hero’s welcome home on Tuesday after winning their first Olympic gold medal in the men’s 200m final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.(Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua)
Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi (R) poses with Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalist Letsile Tebogo in the men’s 200m event during a welcome home ceremony at National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana, on Aug. 13, 2024. Team Botswana and Letsile Tebogo received a hero’s welcome home on Tuesday after winning their first Olympic gold medal in the men’s 200m final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.(Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua)
