Following a rapid rise in African sprinting, Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo says a balance needs to be found in terms of developing the sport across all distances in track athletics.
Traditionally known as a powerhouse in distance running, performances from African sprinters in recent years has changed the game, with the likes of Tebogo, South Africans Akani Simbine and Wayde van Niekerk, Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala and Ivory Coast athlete Marie-Josee Ta Lou putting up a fight at the highest level.
Having flaunted the continent’s potential, Tebogo said African sprinters needed to continue building momentum, but not at the expense of distance running, with African athletes now facing tough competition from American and European athletes.
“Back in the day the African continent was believed to only have strength in long-distance events… and for me it was about taking risks to show people that Africa is not just for long distances. We can also produce for the continent in other events,” Tebogo said.
“Now the long distances seem to be fading away, which is something I don’t want. I want us to be balanced from short sprints to long distances.”
Tebogo, who will line up in the men’s 200m sprint at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix in Gaborone on Saturday, was speaking to the media after being unveiled as an ambassador for the World Athletics Kids’ Athletics Programme.
The collaboration will involve Tebogo taking part in the Relay Around the World Challenge ahead of this year’s Kids’ Athletics Day – an annual celebration of children being active and participating in athletics – which will take place on 7 May 2025.
* Featured image of Letsile Tebogo by Cecilia van Bers
