The Olympic Games-Paris 2024 - Source: Getty — Letsile Tebogo won the 200m gold after getting over the passing of his mother two months prior (Photo-Getty)

"I wasn't really there when she was sick" - Letsile Tebogo felt it was the 'end of his career' after losing mother before Paris Olympics 2024

Modified Sep 19, 2024 14:27 GMT

Letsile Tebogo thought it was the end of his career when heard the news of his mother's demise two months before the Paris Olympics 2024. The Botswanian sprinter claimed he had lost the motivation to train, but with the help of family members, he slowly got back into the rhythm before taking the gold medal in the 200m in Paris.

Tebogo was in top form from the start of the 2024 season, running a world record over the 300m early in February at the Simbine Curro Classic-Shoutout. He clocked a blistering 30.69s for the record before becoming the first sprinter to break the 20s barrier over 200m in 2024 at the ASA Grand Prix.

The 21-year-old kept running impressive times before a tragedy struck him back home. Tebogo lost his mother, Seratiwa Tebogo, a day after he was named the Botswana Sportsperson of the Year for the second consecutive time. She had been battling a mild illness before her demise.

Speaking with World Athletics in an interview, he said:

“I was there when she was sick but I wasn’t really there because I was having to travel back and forth. I just visited her when I could, but she understood that my job didn’t allow me to just leave – but I believe she understands, wherever she is."

Letsile Tebogo also added that in the first days after his mother passed away, he thought his world had ended. However, his coach and team ensured he was back on track for the Olympic gold medal.

“The first few days or few weeks after my mum died were super-difficult for me because I thought it was the end of the world, the end of my career, the end of everything I have tried to accomplish," he said

“But then the people who were around me, my coach and my team, told me to take each day as it comes, one step at a time. Don’t try to make a big step when you can’t manage to handle it," Tebogo added

Letsile Tebogo paid tribute to his late mother during the Diamond League Finals in Brussels

Paris 2024 Olympic Games - Letsile Tebogo (L) runs in the 4x400m relay finals (Source: Getty)

Letsile Tebogo recently paid tribute to his mother during the Diamond League Finals in Brussels by wearing a custom-designed shirt in her remembrance.

The 21-year-old wore a black shirt during practice in Brussels with an image of his mother on it. This photo was shared by World Athletics and Diamond League Athletics in a collaborative post on Instagram.

Tebogo had earlier paid tribute to his mother after winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. He displayed his shoes shortly after winning the race, which had the initials of his mother on it, and had also painted his nails with the initials of her name.