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Letsile Tebogo has shared his passion for farming, revealing his growing livestock collection and investment plans.
Reigning Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo is not just celebrating his track and field success but also enjoying the fruits of his labor back home in Botswana.
The 21-year-old sprinter, who recently concluded his athletic season, is now shifting his focus from the track to the farm, where he has been steadily building a growing collection of livestock.
In a candid interview with World Athletics, Tebogo shared that his farming venture has become a significant part of his life, providing him with a much-needed retreat from the demands of being a world-class athlete.
"I personally had 10 animals – cows and goats – and then the Botswana government gave me about 30 more now. I am still counting, there are still more coming from them," Tebogo revealed, clearly excited about his expanding herd.
Tebogo, who lives with his older sister and frequently visits his aunt and uncle who live nearby, explained that farming helps him escape the pressures of city life and the relentless grind of professional athletics.
“Farming takes me away from the city life, so I can just refresh my mental life. Because in the city you are not a free human, but in the bush you are a free human being,” he said.
This balance between the thrill of competition and the peace of farming has become crucial for the young athlete.
“It allows me to distract myself away from track and field. Once you think about track and field too much, at the moment you get too much stress,” Tebogo added.
Tebogo is making significant investments in farming, with an eye on his future beyond athletics.
The Botswana government has supported his endeavors by gifting him livestock, which, in Botswana’s culture, is seen as a symbol of wealth and status.
Tebogo is using this opportunity to create a lasting legacy that will serve him well after his running career winds down.
Tebogo’s return to Botswana after his victory in the Paris Olympics was met with massive celebrations.
Reflecting on the warm reception he received, the champion sprinter spoke with pride about the outpouring of support from his home country.
“The support was really amazing to see,” he said.
“There were 80,000 people at the stadium and all along the road. I believe my life has changed, and that I have changed a lot of lives in my home country.”
Beyond the emotional and patriotic rewards, Tebogo has also seen financial gains from his Olympic success.
His gold medal win in Paris has earned him over $250,000 (Ksh32 million) in bonuses, as well as two houses worth a combined $300,000 (Ksh38.5 million).
Along with these rewards, Tebogo has received more cattle from various organizations and leaders in Botswana, further fueling his passion for farming.
Born in Kanye, a small village in Botswana, Tebogo has made it clear that he intends to leverage his growing herd as a long-term investment.
“I have shown them that against all odds, everything is possible,” he said, speaking to his goal of inspiring others across Africa.
Tebogo’s incredible victory in the 200m final at the Paris Olympics, where he clocked a winning time of 19.46 seconds ahead of American rivals Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles, has cemented his place in sprinting history.
He also anchored Team Botswana to a silver medal in the 4x400m relay, adding to his growing list of accomplishments.
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