23 Apr 2025

For a very long time, Africa was known as middle and long distance runners powerhouse, thanks to Kenya and Ethiopia for keeping the candle burning.

However, despite not winning medals at major events, except for Namibian Frankie Fredericks who was a torch bearer for the continent, nothing much can be said about Africa.

Since Fredericks’ retirement, countries such as America and Jamaica have been dominating the sprint events, both the 100 metres and 200metres. 

But the emergence of Akani Simbine, Ferdinand Omanyala and Tebogo Letsile gave Africa a ray of hope that the continent can also stand up and be counted.

In fact, it was Tebogo who demonstrated that Africa can compete and make it to the podium in sprint.

 In 2023 at the World Athletics Championships, in Budapest, Tebogo became the first African to win a men’s 100m medal, by winning a silver medal with a National Record time of 9.88.

 He won bronze in the 200m, and made history by winning the first gold medal for Africa at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.

Simbine’s manager, Peet van Zyl told BOPA that Africa was known globally as a long distance running continent. He said Southern Africa has now witnessed the emergence of sprinters in countries such as Botswana, South Africa and Namibia. 

“For me the interesting phenomenon is in the 400m where the likes of Botswana are producing quality athletes in that distance,” he said.  

Van Zyl said Botswana used to have Nijel Amos and Glody Dube competing in the middle distance, adding that the interest was now in 400m, 200m, 100m due to Tebogo’s achievement’s. 

“It is an exciting time, and I think a lot of kids have now realised that you don’t just have to focus on the middle distance only. So it is good to see sprints developing in Africa,” he said.

Van Zyl said African sprinters are trailblazers, with youngesters following them, and a lot of coaches are also at work in ensuring that African sprinters break the 10, 20 and 40 seconds barriers. ENDS