Letsile Tebogo was the biggest name on the lips of athletics fans during the Paris 2024 Olympics Games when he shocked the world by winning Gold at th
Letsile Tebogo was the biggest name on the lips of athletics fans during the Paris 2024 Olympics Games when he shocked the world by winning Gold at the expense of the much fancied American sprinter Noah Lyles. Lyles was shocked and finished third, while his fellow American Benarek finished second to Tebogo.
The 21-year-old Kanye-born had a wonderful year helping Botswana win a silver medal in the 4X400m relay in Paris 2024.
Also, Tebogo played a very key role in Botswana winning gold at the World Relays in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, at the Thomas Robinson Stadium.
The sprinter becomes the 7th African to win this prestigious award since the maiden edition was won by the American sprinter Carl Lewis in 1988.
Algerian middle-distance runner Nouredine Morceli became the first African to be crowned Athlete of the Year in 1994. Two years later, In the 1500m race in the Atalanta 1996 Olympic Games, he won a gold medal for Algeria.
Ethiopian former long-distance track and road running athlete Haile Gabrlselassie won it in 1998, becoming the second African to win it.
Berkane-born Hicham El Guerrouj became the first athlete to win it on three consecutive occasions. The Moroccan middle-distance runner won it in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
Long-distance runner Kenenisa Bekele Beyecha was the second Ethiopian athlete to win this coveted award. He won it in 2004 and 2005.
Kenyan middle-distance runner who is still the world and Olympic record holder in 800 meters won the award in 2010 after a successful year.
5000 meters runner Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya was crowned the Best Athlete of the years 2018 and 2019.
Letsile Tebogo is the latest African athlete to win this award. In total, Africa has won the award 11 Times.
31-year-old Ethiopian-born Sifan Hassan was crowned Female Athlete of the Year. Hassan represents the Netherlands and she won gold in Marathon at the Paris Olympic Games. In the 1500 m, Hassan won Bronze and also won silver in the 5000 m for Netherlands.
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