Botswana has declared a public holiday to celebrate the country’s victory in the men’s 4×400 metres at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, the first African nation to win the event.
President Duma Boko hailed the gold medal as a “historic African win”, in an online address praising the team for their performance.
He announced yesterday, 29 September, as a holiday to celebrate the achievement – a day ahead of the country’s independence day.
On Sunday, Botswana’s team of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi edged out the US, the winners of the last 10 world titles, in a rain-drenched race. South Africa took third position.
“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, speaking from New York where he is attending the UN General Assembly.
He described the moment as “electric”, adding that Botswana’s performance spoke to its rising stature on the global stage.
The southern African nation finished fifth overall in the championship’s medal standings – behind the US, Kenya, the Netherlands and Canada – their best ever return after taking two go
Britain’s athlete Eugene Amo-Dadzie and Britain’s athlete Jona Efoloko compete in the men’s 4x100m relay heats
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