100meter silver medallist and 200meter bronze winner Letsile Tebogo revealed recently that his decision to quit social media helped him achieve the greatness he displayed at the 2023 World Athletics Championships.
He was speaking at a post race press conference in Budapest, Hungary, after becoming the first African to attain a podium finish in the 100meter event, clocking 9.88 seconds on Sunday.
The 20-year-old later finished third in the 200meters final on Friday night.
“It wasn’t easy. I tried my best to stay out of it. Here is the result. Everybody is saying whatever they feel like saying, so that affected me mentally. Then I just decided, ‘no’ – to let go of social media.”
The first man from his country to break the 10-second barrier in April 2022, Tebogo set a new personal best in the final in Budapest and praised his training partners for their role in keeping his spirits high on the way to his latest remarkable achievement.
“The team consists of four people,” said Tebogo. “We make sure that there is always joy between all of us.
“Nobody goes to sleep sad. I’m really grateful for the silver medal.”
The last and only previous athlete from Botswana to win a medal at the championships was Amantle Montsho, who followed up her 400m gold in 2011 by claiming silver two years later.
Other Botswana athletes like Tshepiso Masalela finished 7th in the 800m final on Saturday while the likes of Busang Kebinatshipi, Bayapo Ndori and Leungo Scotch could not make it into the 400m finals. The 4 x 400m relay team that includes Kebinatshipi, Scotch, Laone Ditshetelo, Zibane Ngozi and Baboloki Thebe has qualified for the finals on scheduled for Sunday. Ndori is out after sustaining an injury in the middle of his race this week.