Letsile Tebogo became the first African to win the men’s Olympic 200 metres title on Thursday when he powered clear of American duo Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles to claim Botswana’s first Olympic gold medal.
Tebogo, who set a national record of 9.86 when finishing sixth in the Paris 100m final, produced a dominant last 50 metres and crossed the line in 19.46 seconds beating his chest as he became the fifth-fastest man in history over 200m.
Bednarek chased him all the way to take a second successive silver in 19.62 seconds, with Lyles, who had been hoping to become the first American to complete the sprint double since Carl Lewis 40 years ago, repeating his Tokyo bronze in 19.67.
It was the triple world champion’s first defeat in a 200m final for three years. He received medical treatment after crossing the line and after the race, US officials said he had Covid, putting his participation in Friday’s sprint relay final in serious doubt.
The 21-year-old Tebogo was ecstatic. “I’m the Olympic champion, it’s something I have never seen in my life or dreamt of — it is an amazing moment.”
“It means a lot for everybody, the country, the continent and my family.”
Record & more
While the Americans lost gold in the men’s 200m, they did well in the other events.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone broke the women’s 400m hurdles world record with a time of 50.37 seconds to retain her Olympic title.
Anna Cockrell, also of the US, took silver and Dutchwoman Femke Bol claimed bronze.
Tara Davis-Woodhall too soared for the US to Olympic gold in the women’s long jump, sealing victory with a gigantic fourth leap to improve on her silver medal performance at last year’s World Championships.
The 25-year-old posted 7.10m to take the title from Tokyo Olympic gold medallist and three-time world champion Malaika Mihambo of Germany who claimed silver with 6.98m. American Jasmine Moore jumped 6.96m to secure bronze.
Relay rivalry
The United States also took the first convincing step towards ending their men’s 4x100m relay drought when they qualified fastest from Thursday’s heats, with a lot more firepower to come, but Jamaica crashed out after two horrible changeovers.
The US women’s team also look well placed to reclaim the title from Jamaica after qualifying fastest, despite a changeover scare.
The US men have not won the event they formerly dominated since 2000 but Christian Coleman, making his first appearance of the Games, set them on their way well.
Fred Kerley, who was involved in the botched changeover that ended their Tokyo hopes, ran a strong second leg, handing to green-haired Kyree King, and Courtney Lindsey brought them home well clear in 37.47 seconds.
Akani Simbine ran a storming last leg to take South Africa to second in 37.94, just ahead of Britain (38.04).
A slick China won the second heat in 38.24 and France were roared to second in 38.34. But Jamaica, champions in 2012 and 2016, messed up two changeovers to finish fourth and miss out on Friday’s final.
A different Jamaica
While Jamaica might be struggling in sprint, the Caribbean island known for producing elite sprinters such as Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, is now a field-event power.
Roje Stona’s gold in the discus throw on Wednesday gave Jamaica their fourth medal in the field events at the 2024 Olympics — after winning just two in history.
Stona set an Olympic record with his throw of 70m. That follows silvers for Wayne Pinnock in the men’s long jump and Shanieka Ricketts in the women’s triple jump, and a bronze for Rajindra Campbell in the men’s shot put.
“We should put more support into the field events. Discus, shotput — I mean, everything,” said Stona, the first discus thrower from his country to win an Olympic medal.
“The track gets a lot of attention, but the field events has been underrated, and we should get more support.”
