Botswana's Letsile Tebogo charts different course for Paris Olympics 2024

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Botswana's Letsile Tebogo charts different course for Paris Olympics 2024

Festus Chuma 07:45 - 05.04.2024

Botswanan wonderkid Letsile Tebogo has revealed his prioritization of personal ambitions over common athletic goals for the Paris Olympics 2024.

World 100m silver medallist Letsile Tebogo has made it clear that his eyes are set on Olympic gold rather than chasing world records at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. 

In a statement that diverges from the ambitions of many of his contemporaries, Tebogo expressed his priorities ahead of one of the season's most anticipated events.

"Everybody wants the world record and the gold medal at the Olympics, and I’m not part of the world record chasing team," Tebogo stated in a recent post by Track Spice on X. 

This declaration comes at a time when the athletic community is buzzing with speculation about potential record-breaking performances at the Paris Olympics. 

Yet, Tebogo, a sprinter from Botswana, remains unfazed by the prospect of etching his name in the record books.

Despite his young age of 20, Tebogo has already proven himself to be a formidable force in track and field. 

This season alone, he has secured two World Leads (WLs) and a World Record (WR) on the ASA Athletics Grand Prix Tour. 

His achievements include a staggering 19.94-second 200-meter WL and a groundbreaking 300-meter WR. 

These feats have positioned him as a significant presence on the global stage, challenging long-standing records and setting the tone for what many expected to be a record-chasing year.

However, Tebogo's focus lies elsewhere. His statement reflects a maturity and a perspective often rare in the high-stakes environment of international athletics. 

By stepping away from the relentless pursuit of WRs, Tebogo embodies the Olympic spirit, where participation, excellence, and the celebration of human potential are valued above all.

The highlight of Tebogo's season came from a moment captured last year at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where he raced alongside American sprinter Noah Lyles.

 The photo, featured in the Track Spice post, symbolizes the camaraderie and sportsmanship that define athletics at its best. 

Both sprinters, in their stride for excellence, showed the world that competition can coexist with respect and friendship.

While Tebogo distances himself from the WR chase, the athletic world watches as Jamaican legend Usain Bolt turns his attention to Noah Lyles, considering him a serious contender for breaking the long-standing 200-meter WR. 

Lyles, who has shown exceptional prowess on both indoor and outdoor tracks, remains Bolt's favorite to challenge the record, further heating up the anticipation for the Paris Olympics.

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