Botswana have declared a public holiday to celebrate the men’s 4×400m relay gold medal at the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo.
Duma Boko, President of Botswana made this announcement to celebrate the team, a day ahead of the country’s independence.
Botswana became the first African nation to win the 4×400m event at the World Championship. On the final day of the events, Botswana produced a stunning performance to beat USA to gold in the final moments of the race.
The quartet of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi ran the race of their lives in the rain to beat USA who have won the last 10 world titles. Kebinatshipi beat USA’s anchor and 400m hurdles champion, Rai Benjamin to take the gold medal home.
Botswana’s athletics is on the rise as Letsile Tebogo won the nation’s first Olympic gold in the men’s 200m in Paris. A half holiday was also declared to celebrate him as thousands came out to welcome him back from Paris
