The Olympics Glory has landed in Botswana!

13 August 2024
Share this story

Tuesday 13th August 2024

by TPA Watchman

It was a scene from a fairy tale!

Multitudes of Batswana flocked SSKIA, the country’s premiere airport in Gaborone on Tuesday 13th August 2024, some forming a beeline queue along the capital city’s roads, while thousands more waited at the national stadium to welcome Botswana’s Olympics heroes.

A historic feat on August 8th as local athlete, Letsile Tebogo won gold in the 200m finals during the Paris 2024 Olympics in France, was the source of the outpouring of collective joy in the country.

The cherry on top was the silver medals the 4×400 men’s relay team comprising Busang Kebinatshipi, Bayapo Ndori, Anthony Pesela and Letsile Tebogo scooped on Saturday August 10th setting an African record of 2:54.53 seconds to seal a historic Olympics feat for Botswana.

The gold in particular won by running a crazy 19.46 seconds in the 200m dash was Africa’s first and the world’s fifth fastest time ever ran in that category.

The euphoria, pomp and ceremony that attended the athletes’ return home was therefore fitting given they had suddenly catapulted themselves to sporting heroes and thrust the country’s name among the galaxy of sporting nations.

Dressed in the national blue, black and white colours the city erupted into a joyful cacophony. The young and old – foreigners and citizens, all immersed themselves in the nation’s glory, none caring for race affections or any such identity marker!

It was a sight to behold!

The President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, his wife, Mma Atsile, the Sports Minister Tuimiso Macdonald Rakgare, and the entire Cabinet as well as Members of Parliament took the afternoon off to welcome the Botswana Olympics team.

Screams and shouts of joy accompanied the team as they rode atop a bus specifically ordered to ferry them to the stadium.

Waving and gesturing to the mesmerised crowds lined along the capital’s streets, the team soaked into the moment, savouring every count while cameras streamed their epic reception across the width and breadth of the country.

Never had the country witnessed a spectacle of such magnitude. Indeed, the Olympics glory had arrived in Botswana, and Batswana turned up in their droves to become part of history making.

The atmosphere turned electric as the motorcade entered the national stadium and the 30, 000 capacity-strong crowd erupted into song, simultaneously chanting Letsile’s name!

Everyone inside the stadium was instantly transformed – they shouted, yelled, jumped, stomped their feet, clapped, screamed at the top of their voices, took selfies, filmed the entire scene for posterity’s sake.

Indeed, this moment will forever be etched in the annals of the country’s sporting history. A time when Batswana across the political, religious affiliations, social and economic standing or educational background, were united into a single cohesive unit by the prowess of its athletic heroes.

The accompanying rewards for the feat were equally appealing, in-fact, tempting and certainly a motivation for would-be athletes to aspire for greatness.

Minister Rakgare announced that two mansions were ready for Letsile, and a house each for the other silver medallists in the men’s 4×100 metres race! Besides the real estate, these athletes are assured instant wealth from endorsement deals that they will strike with international companies!

It certainly behoves the National Olympic Commission and the National Sports Commission to find suitable financial and legal advisors for the young athletes as they transition into a lap of luxury.

© TPA2024

Last Posts

HB invests 137 Million Pula in Botswana, fuelling the nation’s rise as a diamond powerhouse

Share this story

Share this storyEighteen (18) months after launch, HB is advancing HB Botswana’s processing capacity with a transformative new 137 million Pula investment. This commitment will expand HB’s processing capacity and create hundreds of high-quality jobs,…

13 August 2024

Elephant over-population causes massive destruction of trees, poor food and water supply for all the wildlife_

U.S. Appeals Court’s decision on ivory, Rhino horn sales may signal reopening of international trade

Share this story

Share this story By Emmanuel Koro  Johannesburg,  19 November 2024 In a significant development for a return to a reasonable approach to trade in ivory and rhino horn products,  the U.S. Second Court of Appeals has…

13 August 2024

India in top 10 globally for patents, trademarks and industrial designs

Share this story

Share this storyIndia now ranks among the top 10 countries globally in the number of patents, trademarks and industrial design applications, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) 2024 report on IP trends. The…

13 August 2024

Irina Abramova (Moderator), Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug (Mauritania FM), Sergey Lavrov (Russia FM) and Dr Monque Nsanzabanganwa (African Union Commission) - Pic (TPA)

Russia has never been involved in the exploitation of African peoples – Sergey Lavrov

Share this story

Share this storyThe Pan Afrikanist Watchman At the close of the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum on November 10th 2024 in the Sirius Federal Territory, Sochi, Russia’s veteran Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov…

13 August 2024

A mass grave bearing the names of six victims of the Matabeleland Massacres, near the now-abandoned Sitezi military camp, where army soldiers involved in the Gukurahundi were based [File: Jerome Delay/AP]

Zimbabweans gripped by fear of another Gukurahundi in Matebeleland

Share this story

Share this storyBy: Vitalio Angula ……… “He is my President”, Charlotte Ncube* responds when asked about her relation to Mqondisi Moyo, President of the Mthwakazi Republic Party. Charlotte Ncube* earns a living selling arts and…

13 August 2024

India's High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Bathath Kumar in the middle

Gaborone City lights up on the celebration of Diwali Mela

Share this story

Share this storyCynthia Thanda Gaborone was shining with lights, joy and laughter on the evening of 16th November 2024 as the Indian Association of Botswana painted warm smiles on the lips of the public when…

13 August 2024

Related Stories