Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo announces his first major track appearance of the 2025 season

Paris Olympics gold medalist Letsile Tebogo announced his first major race of the 2025 season. The Botswana athlete revealed he will compete at the Maurie Plant meet as part of World Athletics' Continental Tour Gold.

Tebogo made headlines right before the Paris Olympics due to his performances in the 200m. He continued his momentum as he marched onto the Paris Olympics and was considered one of the top contenders for the Olympic crown in the 100m and the 200m. Letsile Tebogo finished sixth and failed to achieve a podium finish despite setting a new national record in the 100m.

The 21-year-old then marched onto the 200m where he defeated Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek to win his first Olympic gold medal. Moreover, he ran an incredible leg in the 4x400m relay, leading Botswana to win the silver medal in the event. After the Olympics, Tebogo made back-to-back appearances in the Diamond Leagues competing in the 100m and the 200m before concluding his season.

As the new year sets in, the track world is abuzz with athletes announcing their season's first races. Tebogo took to Instagram to confirm his first major race of 2025. The Olympic gold medalist announced that he will compete in the 400m at the Maurie Plant meet on March 29.

The sprinter expressed his thoughts about competing in Australia and opening his 2025 track season in the 400m.

"I’m excited to compete for the very first time in Australia and open my 2025 season at the Maurie Plant Meet as the Olympic 200m champion I’m looking forward to the electric support of the Australian crowd, let's make it a race to remember!" he said via athletics.com.au.

"I will be stepping up to the challenge of the 400m. Starting the season with this long-distance challenge will set the stage for what’s ahead. I’m ready to push my limits and make every moment count,” he added.

Letsile Tebogo on the aftermath of becoming an Olympic champion

Letsile Tebogo during a press conference at the World Athletics Awards 2024 - Source: Getty

In a post-race interview at the Brussels Diamond League, Letsile Tebogo spoke about the aftermath of becoming an Olympic champion. The 21-year-old revealed how he had become an icon in his country and could not travel to public places like before due to his massive popularity.

Even though this led Tebogo to overthink, he shared that he has come to terms with his newfound popularity.

"I’m not a free human being these days. I’m just a superstar in my country, which I don't like because I can’t even go to the mall and get something for myself. I have to send somebody to do it. I think this also leads me to overthink so many things about why I became this person, and why didn't I choose another path but I can't go back to my ways," he said via Citius Mag.

Furthermore, Letsile Tebogo expressed his elation at fulfilling his dream of winning an Olympic medal and dedicated his victory to his late mother, who passed away months before the quadrennial games in Paris.