Botswana on the rise: how passion drives its athletes to podium success

Botswana has started producing notable stars, especially on the track, and their achievements are creating tangible ripple effects. By Yanga Sibembe

- By Yanga Sibembe

At the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, Letsile Tebogo shocked a strong field of fellow sprinters, including American superstars Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles, to clinch the 200m gold. It was Botswana's first gold in Olympic history and it put the world on notice with regard to the African country's promise.

After that historic moment, the Botswana runners maintained the momentum in 2025. At the World Championships in Tokyo, Collen Kebinatshipi clinched gold in the 400m. It was the country's first World Championship gold.

His compatriot Bayapo Ndori was also on the podium for that event, just to emphasise that Kebinatshipi's historic success was not coincidental. Botswana then clinched another sweet victory on the last day of the Championships when a team consisting of Ndori, Kebinatshipi, Tebogo and Lee Eppie beat the US and South Africa to claim gold in the 4x400m relay race.

It was the first time an African team had claimed gold in the event traditionally dominated by the US.

“These breakthroughs aren’t just medals,” Botswana Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng told Daily Maverick. “They have lifted the nation's spirit, sparked grassroots interest and put Botswana on the global track-and-field map.

“We are proud of every athlete, coach and support staff who turned years of hard work into historic moments. The pride is sky-high. Our athletes have made Botswana a name to watch in sprinting, and we cannot wait to see what the next generation brings.”

Not only is there a buzz from budding Batswana athletes in the wake of the recent successes, but these victories have also spilled over into the economy. “Botswana's track and field success has elevated global branding, sparked major athletics events and opened new tourism pathways, turning sport into a tangible catalyst for broader tourism growth,” Kelebeng said.