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Men's 200m Olympic champion, Letsile Tebogo once copied eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt's celebration after winning a race. This took place two years ago at the 2022 edition of the World Athletics U20 Championships in Colombia.
The Botswana sprinter produced a solid performance during the Men's 100m event finals and raced past the finishing line in just 9.91 seconds to register the World U20 record over the distance. Tebogo was also the only sprinter in that final to complete the race under 10 seconds. Second-placed Bouwahjgie Nkrumie and third-placed Benjamin Richardson managed run times of 10.02 seconds and 10.12 seconds, respectively.
The 21-year-old capped off his remarkable final performance with a familiar gesture, mimicking Usain Bolt's iconic celebration from the 2008 Olympics. Tebogo made a gesture to fellow athletes before crossing the finish line.
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The Botswana sprinter later clarified that his gesture was not meant to be disrespectful but rather a tribute to his idol, Usain Bolt, and a way to remind people of his incredible legacy. Here's what he said (via World Athletics),
"If somebody took it as disrespect, I'm really sorry. (It was so) everybody watching at home can enjoy the race – to remind them a little bit about what Usain Bolt did back in the day. He's my idol - the person I look up to."
Besides his gold in the Men's 100m event, Tebogo also bagged a silver medal in the 200m event of the 2022 World U20 Athletics Championships.
Letsile Tebogo bags top-podium finish at the Rome Diamond League meet in 2024
Following successful outings at the Lausanne and Silesia Diamond League meets, Letsile Tebogo registered another impressive performance at the 2024 Rome Diamond League meet. This was also Tebogo's first 100m run since the 2024 Paris Olympic 100m finals, where he finished in the sixth position.
In Rome, the Botswana sprinter clocked a remarkable time of 9.87 seconds, securing a top-podium finish in the Men's 100m event against a field of formidable athletes, including Fred Kerley, Christian Coleman, and Ackeem Blake. After this impressive victory, Tebogo said (via Wanda Diamond League),
"This was one of my best 100 meter races. Before this, I imagined what the perfect race over 100 would look like."
2023 Diamond League 100m champion, Coleman finished in second place with a run time of 9.92 seconds, while Kerley grabbed the third-place finish in 9.95 seconds. Tebogo will next feature in the Zurich Diamond League meet scheduled to be held on September 5 (Thursday).
