Fred Kerley reacts to Letsile Tebogo getting $75,000 cash prize and other rewards after winning 200m gold at Paris Olympics 2024

American sprinter Fred Kerley expressed his admiration for Letsile Tebogo, who is set to receive a long list of rewards from his country after an incredible Paris Olympics campaign. Notably, Tebogo became the first African athlete to win the 200m Olympic title at the ongoing Summer Games.

On Thursday, August 8, Tebogo etched his name in the Olympic history books following his victory over America's Noah Lyles, who was the top 200m gold contender. The Botswana runner won the finals after clocking a blistering 19.46 seconds, while Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles of the United States finished in second and third place with times of 19.62 and 19.70 seconds, respectively.

After his first Olympic title, the 21-year-old athlete received an outpouring of heartfelt messages from fans and fellow athletes. Among them was Fred Kerley, the 100-meter bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics, who took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle and wrote:

"LETSILE TEBOGO deserves that."

Following that, Kerley once again rallied behind the African runner as a long list of awards was announced in Letsile Tebogo's honor by the Botswana government. Fentuo Tahiru, a journalist and commentator, shared the news on his X handle, writing:

"For winning Gold in the men’s 200m, this is what Tebogo is getting. 1. A 4 bedroom house from the Botswana Government 2. 1 million Pula ($75,000) from a local company 3. $3,600 for reaching the final of the 100m and 200m 4. National Holiday on his name 5. Overall, he’s expected to get cash rewards from various institutions to the tune of $260,000 The 4x400m team has also been promised houses if they medal. Tebogo could get a second house if he helps them to the podium."

Quoting the tweet, the American sprinter wrote:

"Got damn go on with you bad self then."

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Letsile Tebogo throws shade at Noah Lyles after Paris Olympics victory

Olympic Games Paris 2024 - Athletics - Source: Getty

After winning the 200m gold, Letsile Tebogo seemed to take a sly dig at Noah Lyles, who took home the bronze after clocking 19.70. During the post-race press conference, Tebogo named Lyles as the face of athletics and said,

"I think for me I can't be the face of athletics because I'm not an arrogant or a loud person like Noah [Lyles]. In my opinion, Noah represents athletics. So I believe that Noah is the face of athletics."

The Kanye-born athlete is set to feature in the men's 4x400m relay, where he will be running his third final of the Paris Olympics.