Letsile Tebogo to Work Alongside Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in World Athletics Role

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Letsile Tebogo have been appointed as ambassadors for the World Athletics Kids' Athletics programme.

The announcement comes just one month before the annual Kids' Athletics Day on May 7. The two athletes will officially launch the latest campaign at the upcoming Debswana World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, which will also mark the fifth anniversary of Kids' Athletics Day.

The Kids' Athletics initiative leverages the global appeal of athletics to encourage children worldwide to lead more active lives.

Since its inception, the program's annual celebration has engaged 1.3 million children in schools, clubs, and communities. Each year features a new theme and creative ways to involve young people in fun and inclusive athletic activities.

This year's theme focuses on celebration and connection. On May 7, member federations, schools, and families are encouraged to participate and honour the core values of the program: movement, learning, inclusion, sustainability, and community.

The full campaign will run from May 1-30, kicking off at the World Relays in Botswana. There, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Letsile Tebogo will lead a special activation event with local children.

Both athletes have become prominent role models in the sport. Jefferson-Wooden, representing the USA, secured a remarkable gold medal treble in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m at the World Championships in Tokyo. Botswana's Tebogo is the reigning Olympic 200m champion.

They aim to use their platforms to inspire the next generation to embrace athletics for fun, fitness, and personal development.

Letsile Tebogo, who was already an ambassador in 2025, expressed his enthusiasm for continuing in a role he values deeply.

"I am excited to partner with the Kids’ Athletics programme again, to inspire even more kids to do sport and athletics," said the 22-year-old, who was named World Athlete of the Year in 2024.

"Athletics helped me stay off the streets and out of trouble, and it has continued to give me so many opportunities. Being involved with Kids’ Athletics is one of them and I hope to show young people why they should dream big and have fun doing this sport."

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who has participated in numerous youth initiatives, is eager to take on this global role alongside Tebogo.

"I’m truly excited to step into this role as a Kids’ Athletics ambassador – an opportunity to inspire the next generation while continuing to learn from them as well," the 25-year-old said.

"Following the Tokyo World Championships, I had the chance to lead a development session in my hometown, which was incredibly meaningful. It brought me back to where my journey began, surrounded by my village, where I first understood the power of community and support."

As Kids' Athletics Day celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2026, the campaign wants to reach a cumulative total of over 2 million participants over five years. With 1.3 million children having already taken part since 2022, the goal is to inspire at least 700,000 more to get active in 2026. More information is available at kidsathleticsday.org.