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Letsile Tebogo has answered the question on whether he is considering a move to the US after a successful 2024 season.
Reigning Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo has opened up about why he is hesitant about making a move to the US despite the improved training facilities found there for sprinters.
The Motswana sprinter explained that most African sprinters who relocate to the US usually end up killing their careers after college since they never go professional. He explained that it’s something that has crossed his mind but he had to conduct research before deciding.
The world 100m silver medallist told World Athletics that the US also has a lot of competition and that taking an African sprinter there would destroy him or her. He noted that in the US, there are always successors to the thrones, singling out Quincy Wilson as Michael Johnson’s replacement.
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10:30 - 19.09.2024
Justin Gatlin on how Africa is shifting the sprinting landscape following Tebogo, Omanyala & Simbine's rise, America's distance surge
Gatlin has explained why the narrative on sprinting in Africa is changing following Letsile Tebogo, Akani Simbine and Ferdinand Omanyala's rise, as well as America with distance running, as showcased with Cole Hocker's gold medal in the 1500 meters at the Olympics.
In Africa, it is difficult for a crop of young sprinters to fill in the shoes of Tebogo, Ferdinand Omanyala and Akani Simbine when they retire. However, Tebogo wants to change the narrative and show the world that Africa can also produce great sprinters and they don’t necessarily have to relocate.
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“It’s a tough question to answer but in the United States there is a lot of competition, so once you take one gem from Africa and you put it there, it is going to be destroyed. In the US there is already a new Michael Johnson coming up, Quincy Wilson. There is always somebody coming up for them. But for Africa it is rare to see somebody like me,” Tebogo said.
“So for me to decide not to go there but to sit down and start from way back in 2016 to just watch how African athletes progressed going to America – I found out that a lot of African athletes make it out of college but they can’t go professional afterwards,” he added.
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11:30 - 18.09.2024
Letsile Tebogo gets candid on what cost him victory over Kenny Bednarek in Brussels
Letsile Tebogo has explained why he did not triumph over Kenny Bednarek in the men's 200m at the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels despite being a favourite to win.
The world 200m bronze medallist continues to shine for Africa on the global stage with his impressive performances. At the Paris Olympic Games, he became the first African to claim the 200m gold medal. He also anchored Botswana to a silver medal in the men’s 4x400m relay at the Olympics.
However, he is not stopping at that, disclosing that he wants to ensure the team claims a gold medal at the 2028 LA Olympic Games. Tebogo expressed gratitude for what he did at the Olympic Games and warned that he was just getting started.
“I am proud of what I did at the Olympics because it was something that was stuck in my mind, helping the guys get a silver medal. We had always dreamed of getting a relay medal at the Olympics,” Tebogo said.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t get the gold but I had to make sure that we had at least a medal for the 4x400m because we had that potential, and the other teams were scared of Botswana. We still want that gold medal!
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16:48 - 18.09.2024
Ferdinand Omanyala reveals how intends to bounce back in a major way next season
Ferdinand Omanyala is putting in place plans to ensure he has a successful 2025 season after his topsy-savvy 2024 campaign.
“We changed our running order so that I went on the last leg because I could chase Rai Benjamin with my 200m strength. In the last 200m, I just found somewhere to get it from. Hopefully, by the 2028 Games, we will get that gold medal.”
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