'Let Lyles speak about world records' - Letsile Tebogo stays humble after impressive outing at World Relays

'Let Lyles speak about world records' - Letsile Tebogo stays humble after impressive outing at World Relays

Mark Kinyanjui 14:20 - 06.05.2024

Letsile Tebogo has rubbished chances of breaking Usain Bolt's world records in the 100m and 200m this year unlike his American rival Noah Lyles.

Letsile Tebogo has rubished any chances of breaking Usain Bolt’s long standing world records in both the 100 and 200m races anytime soon.

There has been a lot of talk recently especially from Noah Lyles and Christian Coleman’s camp about wanting to break both records as they prepare for this year’s Olympic Games in Paris, which has gotten people talking about it.

Even Bolt himself has recently admitted that his 200m record stands a good chance of being broken soon, but remains confident his 9.58 world record which he set at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin will take a while before it is broken.

Tebogo did set a new world record back in February when he ran a 300m race in just 30.69 seconds, but he will not count his chickens on the 100m and 200m, both events in which he has already medalled at the World Championships.

Speaking to the media after he helped Botswana qualify for the Olympics in the 4x400m relay at the now-concluded World Athletics Relays in Bahamas, Tebogo made sure to distance himself from any talk of breaking records, choosing to pick the realistic card.

“Take me out of that World Record conversation because I do not want that kind of pressure. Let Lyles speak about the world record and everyone who wants to speak about it. I am not part of that team,” said Tebogo.

In February, Lyles openly spoke about his goals in a season he promised will be historic

"Specifically for this year, I want to consolidate myself as the fastest man in the world in the 100 and 200 metres," Lyle said to The Inside Track of World Athletics podcast. "I definitely have my sights set on the American record in the 100 metres and even the world record.

"In the 200 metres, I have that idea of 19.10s constantly in my head. I've already gathered the data to say I can do it and, of course, I want Los Angeles (2028 Olympics) to be my masterpiece, the highlight of my career."

Meanwhile, Tebogo has spoken about his chances of going for glory in his specialist 200m race this year.

“The 200m is not much technical but we will see how we will approach it and see what it comes about as the season progresses. We can’t make predictions but we will see how it progresses.”