‘Now I Have the Time!’ - Letsile Tebogo Warns Noah Lyles, Kishane Thompson Over 100m Prospect Following 2024 Setback

In 2024, Tebogo was set to challenge for the podium in both events, but the death of the sprinter’s mother affected his 100m medal prospects at the Paris Olympics.

Botswana’s sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo has explained why he believes he will be better equipped to go for it in the 100 meters in 2025, sending a warning to Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson in the process.

Tebogo won the gold medal in the 200 meters at the Paris Olympic games, but had to settle for sixth place in the 100 meter dash, which Lyles won by 5000th of a second against Kishane Thompson of Jamaica, who was tipped by many to win that title.

Tebogo was set to challenge for the podium in both events, but the death of the sprinter’s mother affected his 100m medal prospects at the Paris Olympics.

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Tebogo’s mother Seratiwa passed away in May when the 21-year-old was preparing for the Olympics, looking to medal in both the 100m and 200m after doing the same at the 2023 World Championships. Tebogo had won silver in 100m and bronze in 200m at the 2023 Worlds.

A distraught Tebogo took three weeks off from his training programme to mourn and cope with the untimely demise of his mum and Mosimanyane says after that absence, he knew his prodigy would struggle in the 100m at the Olympics as it is the time he wanted to work on some specific details for the race.

Following the burial, Tebogo and his coach  decided to focus his training programme on the 200m once they  knew 100m would be difficult and the decision paid off massively as Tebogo stunned favourite and world champion Noah Lyles to win gold, a first for Botswana, in the history of the Olympics.

Tebogo shocked Lyles when he stormed to the win, in a time of 19.46 seconds, with US sprinter Kenny Bednarek grabbing silver in 19.62 seconds, while the three-time world champion settled for a disappointing bronze in a time of 19.70 seconds.

The sprinter later anchored Team Botswana to the 4x400m relay silver medal. He had finished fifth in the 100m final, a race won by Lyles, who beat Jamaican Kishane Thompson by the slightest of margins, after both clocked 9.79, as American Fred Kerley timed 9.81 for third place.

The 21-year-old and his mother were very close, travelling together to various events, having overseen his career since he was a child.

Speaking before the Doha Diamond League, where he went on to nonchalantly win the 200 meters, Tebogo now believes the 2025 calendar, which will see the World Championships take place in Tokyo this September, will give him time to now fully prepare for the 100 meters, as he aims to better the silver medal he won at the same event in Budapest.

Tebogo: It Was Not Easy After Mum Passed Away

“So far, that is the plan, to switch it up between the two events, and I believe there is now enough time to work on both events,” Tebogo said.

“It was not easy. It was unfortunate that during the Olympic year, my mum passed away, so I had to cut down a few weeks of training, so we decided to put down and focus on what we were best at. 

“We decided that even though we may not have won something in the 100, at least do something in the 200. I think we have enough time to work on these things and better the medal we got in Budapest (in the 100 meters.”

Tebogo’s Olympic campaign—despite personal tragedy—showcased not just his raw talent, but also his mental strength. With a full year to train and no emotional distractions, the 21-year-old is plotting a serious assault on the 100m title in Tokyo.

And with that, a new chapter in sprinting rivalry begins—Lyles and Thompson have been warned.