Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo claimed the gold medal in the men’s 200m, eclipsing American star Noah Lyles’ hopes for a sprint double.
Tebogo finished the race with a remarkable time of 19.46 seconds, setting a new African record and solidifying his status as a rising sprinting talent.
Tebogo, 21, soared past his competitors, including fellow American Kenneth Bednarek, who secured the silver with a time of 19.62 seconds. Lyles, the reigning world champion and frontrunner for the event, crossed the line in third place, matching his bronze medal time from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at 19.70 seconds.
The dramatic race was marred for Lyles, who had tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after the event. The 27-year-old required assistance to leave the track, being wheeled away by medical staff. ‘
Lyles, who aimed to become the first man since Usain Bolt to complete the 100m and 200m double at an Olympic Games, fell short as Tebogo surged forward.
This victory is a significant milestone for Tebogo, who made headlines last year as a world bronze medallist in the 200m and claimed silver in the 100m at the recent World Championships in Budapest.
Despite a sixth-place finish in the 100m final earlier in the Olympics, Tebogo’s determination and speed shone through in the 200m, marking Botswana’s first-ever Olympic gold medal.
As the crowd erupted in cheers at the Stade de France, Tebogo’s outstanding performance not only brought glory to his nation but also showcased the emergence of a new sprinting sensation on the world stage.
