Botswana sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo has opened up about the mental battle that hampered his performance at the Diamond League Meeting in Xiamen. The world 100m silver medallist clocked 10.20 seconds where he placed a surprising seventh in the men’s 100m.
Tebogo defends his Xiamen performance
The reigning Olympic 200m champion explained that his season had begun with a series of 400m races, and transitioning back to the 100m required a mental reset he hadn’t quite achieved in time for Xiamen.
“My mind was still logged into the 400m,” Tebogo admitted in a post-race interview.
“Now I have a week to prepare and bring it back to where it belongs, and I believe that has really helped.”
Tebogo’s early season saw him compete in several 400m events, including the BAA Track And Field Series 2, ACNW League 6, and the ASA Athletics Grand Prix 1. He also made a strong showing at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne before returning to his preferred 200m at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix, which he won.
Despite the setback in Xiamen, Tebogo bounced back just days later, securing a third-place finish in the men’s 100m at the Diamond League Meeting in Shanghai.
Love From Chinese Fans
Beyond the track, the overwhelming support from fans in China touched Tebogo. The world 200m bronze medallist admitted he hadn’t anticipated such a warm reception.
“It’s great to know how many people love me. At first, I didn’t even know I had so many fans from across the globe; even now, I see so many Chinese fans,” Tebogo shared.
“I never thought I would have friends here, but I was really surprised to see how many people love me. It’s a great thing to know and feel like you have inspired people.”
A season of special moments
Reflecting on his 2024 season , Tebogo pointed to several personal highlights — chief among them, his nomination for the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.
“The most special one, I believe, was being nominated for the Laureus Awards — that is the most important one. However, I don’t underestimate the homecoming ceremony; it was truly a special one, too,” he said.
Tebogo earned the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) Best Male Athlete award at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and won the World Athletics Male Athlete of the Year award.
With a global fanbase rallying behind him and a string of accolades fueling his motivation, the 21-year-old sprint star remains firmly focused on delivering an impressive campaign in the months ahead.
