In celebration of the men’s 4×400 metres triumph at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, the first time an African nation has ever won the event, Botswana has declared a public holiday.
President Duma Boko described the gold medal as a “historic African win” during an online address, commending the athletes for their remarkable performance.
He set Monday, 29 September, as a holiday to honour the victory, just a day before the nation’s independence celebrations.
On Sunday, Botswana’s relay team, Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, stunned the world by defeating the United States, who had dominated the last 10 world titles, in a rain soaked final. South Africa secured third place.
“I’ll be sure to tell everyone, Botswana’s natural diamonds are not just in the ground, they are our World Champion athletes,” the president said in his address from New York, where he is attending the UN General Assembly.
Calling the victory “electric,” he added that the achievement underscored Botswana’s growing influence on the global stage.
