Olympics: Bostwana President declares Friday public holiday after Tebogo’s landmark 200m victory

By Samuel Akpan in Paris

The President of Botswana, Mr. Mokgweesti Masisi, has declared a ‘half-day public holiday’ across the country to celebrate the Letsile Tebogo gold medal at the Olympics, who became their first athlete ever to win a gold medal at the Olympics.

Tebogo sprinted his way into the annals of history as the men’s 200m champion, earning Africa’s first gold medal and Bostwana’s first gold medal in the history of the Olympics.

“Your victory is a proud moment for Botswana and Africa, your victory has inspired a nation and solidified your place among the world greatest athletes,” Persecondnews quotes Masisi as saying.

Masisi noted that Botswana citizens will get an ‘afternoon day off’ on Friday as a tribute to Tebogo who brought joy to their country on Thursday, winning the GOLD medal in men’s 200m; the first African to win this title.

Persecondnews recalls that Tebogo upset Noah Lyles’ plan for an Olympic sprint double by zooming to victory in the 200m men’s final in Paris, France, on Thursday.

Tebogo clocked an African record of 19.45sec for gold, with American Kenny Bednarek taking silver in 19.62sec and Lyles taking bronze in 19.70sec, well shy of his personal best and even further away from Usain Bolt’s world record that he had aspirations of breaking.