That chest slap - Letsile Tebogo evokes memories of Usain Bolt after dusting Noah Lyles to become Olympic champion at 21

In a moment reminiscent of Usain Bolt's iconic victories, Botswana's Letsile Tebogo has emerged as the new sprint sensation, stunning the field in the 200m final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The 21-year-old Tebogo delivered a performance for the ages, blowing past the reigning 100m champion, America's Noah Lyles, to cross the line in a blistering African Record of 19.46 seconds.

Tebogo's surge to victory has seen him be widely celebrated as a worthy successor to the legendary Bolt, with the young star's celebratory chest slap drawing immediate comparisons to the former Jamaican champion's unmistakable flair.

The Botswana native had already laid down a marker in the semifinals, leaving Lyles in his wake in one of the heats. But it was in the final where Tebogo truly cemented his place in history, leaving the American in third place and departing the track in a wheelchair.

Following the win, the emotional Tebogo dedicated his stunning victory to his late mother, further endearing himself to the global audience.

The world of athletics has been quick to embrace Tebogo's emergence, with the official Olympics account on social media leading the charge. Reactions have been pouring in, with fans and experts alike hailing the rise of Botswana's new sprint sensation.

"That chest slap reminded us of someone…" read one tweet, while another proclaimed, "Bolt in the making. Congratulations Tebogo. Congratulations Botswana. Congratulations Africa."

Others went even further, declaring, "Tebogo is the new Usain Bolt," and "That chest slap gave us all the Bolt vibes! The world better take notice—Botswana is here to stay!"

With his electrifying performance and charismatic celebration, Letsile Tebogo has etched his name in the annals of Olympic history, cementing Botswana's status as a rising force in the world of sprinting.