Letsile Tebogo makes a case for African sprinters with thrilling Olympic victory in the 200 meters

PARIS (AP) — Letsile Tebogo is from Botswana in southern Africa, a continent with a rich history of producing world-class runners.

Just not like the kind Tebogo does for a living. He's hoping 20 seconds of greatness — check 19.46 seconds of greatness — might change that.

The 21-year-old pulled off a stunner (sort of) in the men's 200 meters at the Paris Olympics on Thursday night, producing the first-ever Olympic gold by an African runner in the distance.

American Kenneth Bednarek got out to an early lead, but Tebosgo said he was confident that he had more than enough to track him down. By the middle of the stretch, Tebogo was in front and waited for a challenge from American star Noah Lyles that never came — perhaps in part because Lyles is dealing with COVID-19 — to win going away.

“When I saw Kenny fade I knew Noah was far, far, far away behind us,” Tebogo said. "So that means I’m the Olympic champion.”

One who is also a three-time world champion.

Lost amid the chaos of Lyles collapsing briefly on the track in the aftermath and his revelation that he tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday was this: Tebogo's time was the fastest by anyone in the world this year.

Lyles included.

Heady territory for an athlete who gets himself amped up before a race by playing traditional songs he learned growing up in Kanye, Botswana, not far from the landlocked nation's border with South Africa.

The ritual allows Tebogo to relax, drawing a stark contrast between him and the relentlessly amped Lyles. While Lyles roared onto the purple track at Stade de France preening, Tebogo was one lane to Lyles' right mentally preparing for the race of his life.

And when Tebogo ran it, he draped the blue, white and black flag of his country over his shoulders, hung his orange cleats around his neck presented his right shoe to a nearby camera to reveal a tribute to his mother, Elizabeth Seratiwa, who died in May.

“She always dreamed of making it to here,” Tebogo said.

So did his younger sister, who was somewhere in the sea of seats that roared during the race, a roar that grew louder when it became obvious Lyles wasn't going to track Tebogo down the way he had to just about everyone since Tokyo in his signature event.

Not this time. While there may not be an official rivalry between Tebogo and Lyles, the seeds may have been planted somewhere between Lyles' preening and Tebogo's decisive victory.

Asked afterward if he envisions himself as becoming one of the standard bearers in sprinting, Tebogo threw a dash of shade in his answer.

“I can’t be the face of athletics because I’m not an arrogant or a loud person like Noah (Lyles),” he said.

Maybe. Tebogo's biography in the official Olympics media program quotes him as saying he wants "to be remembered as one of the best athletes who ever lived.”

He's probably already there back home, a largely rural country of 2.63 million roughly the size of France that serves as a popular destination for tourists going on African safaris. The pace of life in Kanye isn't typically hectic. Maybe that makes Tebogo's triumph of a young man in a hurry ironic in a way.

Tebogo fought off a balky hamstring to win bronze in the 200 behind Lyles and his U.S. teammate Erriyon Knighton in the 2023 athletics world championship. He actually finished ahead of Lyles in their 200 semifinal on Wednesday. Lyles' camp said he Lyles was fine afterward, indicating he was simply saving himself for the final.

Perhaps he was. Yet when Tebogo took off, Lyles saw only the bib on the back of Tebogo's race shirt. Lyles never saw the bib on the front.

Not until the end anyway, when Tebogo unpinned it, grabbed each end and presented it for all world to see. The people of Africa most of all.

“It means a lot for everybody,” he said. "The country, the continent and my family at large.”

AP Sports Writer Andrew Dampf contributed to this report.

AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Gold medalist Letsile Tebogo, of Botswana, and bronze medalist Noah Lyles, of the United States, foreground, embrace each other after finishing the men's 200 meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Letsile Tebogo, of Botswana, gestures after winning the gold medal in the men's 200 meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Letsile Tebogo, of Botswana, right, wins the men's 200-meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Letsile Tebogo, of Botswana, celebrates after winning the men's 200-meter final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Letsile Tebogo, of Botswana, celebrates after winning the men's 200-meter final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Letsile Tebogo, of Botswana, celebrates after winning the men's 200-meter final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 2025--

T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) is making it easier than ever to switch with its best iPhone offer yet. Starting today, the Un-carrier will give you a brand-new iPhone 16 Pro on Us, — no trade-in needed — and cover up to $800 per line to help pay off your current phones from the other guys too. This is a limited time, never been done before, best iPhone deal from T-Mobile ever kinda thing! And it’s all available on Experience Beyond — the most value-packed plan in wireless that also comes with a 5-year price guarantee.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250514464180/en/

“Wireless should be simple and stress-free and that’s exactly what this offer delivers — the latest iPhone 16 Pro with the new A18 Pro chip, with no-trade-in hassle, real savings on a plan full of perks and a 5-year price guarantee. And of course, that’s all on top of America’s largest and fastest 5G network,” said Vinayak Hegde, Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, T-Mobile. “At a time when everyone’s looking to save and fed up with confusing switcher offers and lengthy-device contracts from the carriers, T-Mobile is making it easier than ever to switch.”

Here’s how it works:

Experience Beyond: The Most Value-Packed Plan in Wireless

On top of America’s largest and fastest 5G network, T-Mobile’s latest and greatest plan packs in over $200 in added value for each line, every month. That means customers don’t have to choose between getting a great value or a great network — at T-Mobile, they get both. And customers who switch save at least 20% vs. comparable plans at the other big guys, plus streaming and in-flight Wi-Fi, and it locks in a 5-year price guarantee on talk, text and data meaning peace of mind for the rest of the decade! Plus, it’s got benefits galore:

And no matter the plan, T-Mobile customers get the ultimate status level — Magenta Status — just for being customers. This means free in-flight Wi-Fi, exclusive hotel and rental car discounts, weekly freebies from T-Mobile Tuesdays and so much more. It’s all part of delivering the best experience in wireless on America’s leading 5G network.

Feel like ditching your internet provider too while you’re at it? Switch to T-Mobile 5G Internet and save each month. It comes with a 5-year price guarantee on your monthly internet plan too! For more details, head here: t-mobile.com/home-internet.

For more details on the latest iPhone offers, head here: t-mobile.com/offers/apple-iphone-deals.

T-Mobile customers can head to the T-Life app to manage their account, upgrade their device, explore exclusive benefits, access T-Mobile Tuesdays deals, freebies and more.

For more on the latest Experience plans, head here: t-mobile.com/plans — or check out T-Mobile’s latest announcement here: t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/t-mobile-and-metro-unveil-new-plans-with-more-value-and-a-5-year-price-guarantee.

Follow @TMobileNews on X, formerly known as Twitter, to stay up to date with the latest company news.

5 Year Price Guarantee: Exclusions like taxes & fees apply. Guarantee means that we won’t change the price of talk, text, and 5G smartphone data on our network for at least 5 years while you are on an Experience plan, or your rate for fixed-wireless 5G internet data for at least 5 years while you are on an eligible plan. See exclusions & details at T-Mobile.com. Save 20%: Savings vs. comparable available plans at AT&T & Verizon plus optional streaming & in-flight wi-fi; plan features and taxes & fees may vary. Credits stop if you cancel any lines. $200 in Benefits: Based on the retail value of monthly benefits available with an Experience Beyond plan, like entertainment, travel benefits, and scam call protection. See plan for details. Some benefits may require activation. iPhone 16 Pro: If you cancel entire account before receiving 24 bill credits, credits stop and balance on required finance agreement is due (e.g., $999.99 – iPhone 16 Pro 128GB). Bill credits end if you pay off device early. Tax on pre-credit price due at sale. Limited time; subject to change. Qualifying credit, service ($100+/mo. plan w/AutoPay; plus taxes/fees) & port-in (AT&T, Verizon, Claro, UScellular, Xfinity, Spectrum, and Liberty PR only) required. If you have cancelled lines in past 90 days, you may need to reactivate them first. $35 device connection charge due at sale. Up to $1,000 via bill credits; line with promo must be active and in good standing to receive credits; allow 2 bill cycles. Max 4 discounted devices/account. May not be combinable with some offers, discounts, or promotions. Phone Payoff: Allow 15 days for card. New financed smartphone, qualifying credit, port-in from eligible postpaid carrier and qualifying service required. Carrier's Early Termination Fee and remaining device balance, including lease purchase option, up to $800, paid via virtual prepaid Mastercard® (no cash access & expires in 6 months). Up to 4 lines. Card issued by Sunrise Banks N.A., Member FDIC.

About T-Mobile

T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com

Trade, Schmade. Switch to T-Mobile. Get Your Old Phone Paid Off, Keep It and Get iPhone 16 Pro on Us. It’s T-Mobile’s best iPhone deal ever. And you’ll save at least 20% vs. the other big guys … and get a 5-year price guarantee