09 Apr 2024

With the 2024 Paris Olympics approaching, the athletics world has started to engage in predictions, more especially regarding the 100m and 200m races.

As the debate rages on, Botswana sensational runner, Letsile Tebogo’s name keeps on cropping as one of the athletes likely to ascend to the podium.

Retired American track star Justin Gatlin recently said Tebogo would turn the 200m world upside down.

He said the athlete was maturing in his events and that with two medals from the World Championships (silver in 100m and bronze in 200m), Tebogo was a championship calibre athlete who was able to rise to the occasion and get the job done.

“He looks a little bigger, he looks strong, especially up top.

There are lot of people who have been waiting on the line to get that gold, silver or bronze medal, and to get on top of the podium they will need to double their training because Tebogo is coming,” said Gatlin.

Tebogo himself discloses that while he has been aware of the debate going around the world, he was not part of the team that is chasing a world record.

He said since it would be his first Olympics experience, he did not want to put himself under unnecessary pressure by targeting a gold medal or breaking any record.

Asked if he would run the 4x400m men’s relay at the Olympics, Tebogo said despite qualifying for the 400 metres, his main focus would be competing in the 100 and 200 metres events.

“Bu let me put it this way, it is a 50/50 situation because as of now we have ruled out the 4x400m relay, but we might consider it looking at the event’s programme,” he said.

Tebogo indicated that his preparation for the Olympics had been going on well, adding that he was injury-free. ENDS