Botswana President Declares Afternoon Day Off

Botswana President Declares Afternoon Day Off After Olympics History

Botswana President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, has declared an afternoon day off for Botswana citizens on Friday the August 9, 2024.

The decision has been made to recognize and honor Letsile Tebogo as the first Botswana and first African to win a Gold Medal for 200m in the history of the Olympics.

“His Excellency, Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, hereby declares to the nation, that he has found it a fitting tribute to Mr. Letsile Tebogo, “Botswana’s Sensation”, to grant Batswana and residents an afternoon day-off, on this very day, Friday the 9th of August 2024,” reads the statement in part.

Furthermore, the President acknowledged Letsile’s performance and achievement as outstanding and deserving of the nation to pause and celebrate him in a most unique, appropriate and responsible manner, that will be etched in the annals of the history of the Republic.

“Accordingly, His Excellency President Masisi, wishes to state that, on behalf of all of the citizenry, he applauds Letsile and gives thanks unceasingly to his late mother,” the statement reads further.

Letsile Tebogo won his first senior global title and Botswana's first ever gold medal at the Olympics — Letsile Tebogo won his first senior global title and Botswana’s first ever gold medal at the Olympics. Photo/ Courtesy

Letsile Tebogo powered past the American duo of Kenneth Bednarek and Noah Lyles to take the gold medal in the men’s 200m at the Paris 2024 Olympics in a new African record time of 19.62 seconds.

Tebogo made all sorts of history by beating Lyles, who settled for the bronze medal, and silver medalist Kenny Bednarek.

The new 200m gold medalist stormed clear of his rivals to clock an African record of 19.46 seconds.

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He also defeated Lyles in the 200m semifinals on Wednesday—the first time Lyles had lost a 200m race since the Tokyo Olympics—setting the stage for Tebogo’s performance in the final.

By winning the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Tebogo became both the first Olympic gold medalist from Botswana and the first African runner to secure victory in the 200m final at the Olympic Games.

The 21-year-old dedicated his Olympic 200m gold medal to his mother, Seratiwa Tebogo, who passed away in May this year after a brief illness.

In 2023, he also made history as the first African to win a medal in the 100m at the World Championships.

On his part Noah Lyles expressed that he was “proud” to win the 200m bronze medal, despite being affected by COVID-19, which disrupted his attempt to become the first man since Usain Bolt to achieve an individual Olympic sprint double.

Also Read: Govt Responds to Claims of Athletes Stranded at JKIA After Paris Olympics

Noah Lyles tested positive for COVID-19 early on Tuesday August 5 morning but kept the result secret from his rivals.

After the race, Lyles admitted that he had the virus that “definitely affected his performance.”

He noted, “I had to take a lot of breaks. I was coughing through the night. I was quite light-headed after the race, experiencing shortness of breath and chest pain, but I eventually caught my breath and recovered. I’m a lot better now.”

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