1 month ago
40
Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo claimed a surprise Olympic 200m gold medal as Noah Lyles was denied a sprint double at Paris 2024.
Tebogo, 21, stormed clear of his rivals to clock an African record of 19.46 seconds and finish ahead of American Kenneth Bednarek, who crossed the line in 19.62.
Lyles, crowned the world’s fastest man by five-thousandths of a second in a historic 100m final four days earlier, was unable to compete at the head of the race and matched his Tokyo bronze in 19.70.
Having burst out on to the track to huge cheers before the race, Lyles was seeking to become the first man since Usain Bolt to complete a 100m and 200m double at an Olympic Games.
Two months ago, Tebogo lost his mother, he inscribed her initials on his nails to always have her closer to him.
Now, he has not only become his country’s first ever gold medallist at the Olympics, but also the first ever African athlete to win a gold medal in the event 200m.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
English (US) ·