Letsile Tebogo is a sprinter from Botswana who won the first ever Olympic gold medal for his country. Here is how rich he is in 2024.
Botswana is a landlocked country in southern Africa with a population slightly over 2.4 million people and a land area similar to France, making them one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world.
However, this sparsely populated country produced one of Africa’s shining lights, Letsile Tebogo.
Here is everything you need to know about the track star.
Who is Letsile Tebogo? (Letsile Tebogo Background)
Letsile Tebogo is a prominent name in the world of athletics despite stepping into the limelight just a couple of years ago.
Hailing from Botswana, this young athlete has made significant strides in his career, capturing the attention of fans and experts alike.
Tebogo's athletic journey began at a young age, representing his country at the BOPSSA at just 12 years old and bringing home a silver medal in the 200m.
Tebogo gained his first international experience at the age of 17 at the 2021 World Athletics Relays in Chorzów, Poland. A couple of months later, he competed at the World Under-20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, where he won the 100 meters and finished second in the 200 meters.
His natural talent and dedication to the sport quickly became apparent, leading him to represent Botswana at international competitions.
Despite facing challenges associated with limited resources in his home country, Tebogo's determination and unwavering commitment to his craft have propelled him to great heights.
In February 2022, he set a new national record in the 100m at the Botswana Athletics Championships with a time of 10.08 seconds when he was only 18 years old.
He also became the first runner from Botswana to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m event, clocking a time of 9.96 seconds at the Gaborone International Meet in 2022, while also setting a new world under-20 record.
In the same year, he improved his record again, clocking a time of 9.94 seconds in his debut race at the World Athletics Championships that was held in Eugene, Oregon.
However, Tebogo was not done for the year, as he broke his own record again with a time of 9.91 seconds in the final of the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia.
However, Tebogo's success extends beyond the 100-meter dash, as he has also shown exceptional speed in the 200-meter event, consistently achieving impressive times. His ability to excel in both distances showcases his versatility and athletic prowess.
In addition to his individual accomplishments, Tebogo has played a crucial role in elevating the profile of athletics in Botswana.
Letsile Tebogo mom
Tebogo’s mom, Seratiwa Tebogo, played a major role in his journey. Tebogo’s revealed that he first wanted to become a footballer before venturing into athletics, as he was a hyperactive kid.
However, the sprinter lost his mom in 2024 after a brief illness. He heard the tragic news after finishing second at the USATF LA Grand Prix.
In many interviews, Tebogo has revealed how heartbroken he is by his mother’s death.
"I took about a month without doing anything. It wasn’t really clicking for me that she’s really gone. For me, I have to find the reason why I started my athletics journey and why I should continue going on’, he said.
How old is Letsile Tebogo? (Letsile Tebogo age)
Tebogo was born on June 7, 2003, making him 21 years old as of September 2024.
Where is Letsile Tebogo from?
Tebogo is from Bostwana, a country bordered by South Africa to the south and southeast, Namibia to the west and north, Zambia to the north, and Zimbabwe to the northeast.
Where was Letsile Tebogo born?
Tebogo was born in Kanye, a small village in southern Botswana, located 83 kilometres (52 mi) southwest of the capital, Gaborone.
Letsile Tebogo height and weight
Tebogo is 6 feet 0 inches tall (184 cm) and weighs 77 kilogrammes (177 pounds).
Letsile Tebogo 200m time (Letsile Tebogo personal best)
Tebogo’s personal best in the 200m event is 19.46 seconds, a time he clocked at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The time is also Bostwana’s national record in the event.
Tebogo also holds the national record for the 100m event after he clocked 9.86 seconds at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
However, his best race came in the 300m, where he holds the world record after running a time of 30.69 seconds in February 2024, at altitude in Pretoria, South Africa.
Letsile Tebogo Olympics
Tebogo participated in the Olympics for the first time at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris.
It was a memorable one for the young runner, as he made the 100-meter final, where he finished sixth, setting a national record with a time of 9.86 seconds.
His biggest moment came in the 200m event, as he beat favourite Noah Lyles to win gold medal in the event with a time of 19.46 seconds. It was the first time an African would win the Olympic 200-meter and a first-ever medal for Bostwana in the Olympic Games.
He also won a silver medal as part of the 4 x 400 m relay team, capping off a memorable Olympics.
Letsile Tebogo medals
Olympic Games
Gold medal – 200 m (2024 Paris)
Silver medal – 4×400 m relay (2024 Paris)
World Championships
Silver medal – 100 m (2023 Budapest)
Bronze medal – 200 m (2023 Budapest)
World Relays
Gold medal – 4×400 m relay (2024 Nassau)
African Championships
Gold medal – 200 m (2024 Nassau)
World U20 Championships
Gold medal – 100 m (2021 Nairobi)
Gold medal – 100 m (2022 Cali)
Silver medal – 200 m (2022 Cali)
Silver medal – 200 m (2022 Cali)
Letsile Tebogo coach
Tebogo's mother was the biggest influence in his career, but the importance of his coach, Dose Mosimanyane, cannot be overstated.
A humble and dedicated mentor, Dose has been instrumental in guiding Tebogo and other promising Botswanan athletes to international success.
Known for his kind heart and unwavering commitment, Dose has trained several talented athletes, including the 2024 Nassau 4x400m relay gold medallist Leungo Scotch and the Olympian Karabo Sibanda.
His belief that the most promising athletes often come from humble backgrounds has led him to provide his coaching services free of charge.
With a clear vision for Tebogo's development, Dose has played a pivotal role in helping the young sprinter reach new heights. His expertise and guidance have been invaluable in shaping Tebogo into the world-class athlete he is today.
Letsile Tebogo wife
As of now, there is no publicly available information about Letsile Tebogo being married.
It's possible that Tebogo prefers to keep his personal life private, or that he may not be married at this time.
Letsile Tebogo net worth
Letsile Tebogo’s net worth is estimated at $2 million, and he has primarily accumulated his wealth through his successful athletics career.
However, he also has good endorsement deals, one with the prestigious wristwatch brand TAG Heuer.
Letsile Tebogo social media
Tebogo has an active account on Instagram but no verifiable account on Twitter (X) and Facebook.
His Instagram account has close to 163,000 followers as of September 2024.