Tebogo shocks world with 200m gold as Lyles’ double dream dashed

Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo pulled off a stunning victory in the Olympic 200m final at Paris 2024, denying Noah Lyles his bid for a sprint double.

The 21-year-old Tebogo surged ahead of the competition, setting a new African record with a time of 19.46 seconds in Paris on Thursday evening.

American Kenneth Bednarek followed closely, securing silver in 19.62 seconds, while Lyles, who had hoped to replicate Usain Bolt’s historic 100m and 200m double, finished third in 19.70 seconds, matching his bronze from Tokyo.

Lyles, who had been crowned the world’s fastest man just days earlier in a thrilling 100m final, struggled to find his top form.

Letsile Tebogo puts Botswana on top of the world 🤯🤯

📺 Stream #Paris2024 live: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw

#CloserToYourChampions pic.twitter.com/ay0ajQCFsC

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 8, 2024

After the race, it was revealed that Lyles had tested positive for Covid-19, and he had to be assisted off the track in a wheelchair.

Tebogo, already a world bronze medalist in the 200m and 100m silver medalist at the 2023 World Athletics Championships Budapest, capped off his first Olympics with a remarkable gold.

Letsile Tebogo dedicates his Olympic GOLD medal to his lovely mother Seratiwa Tebogo who passed away in May.

His nails have her initials. She watched him last year in Budapest become the first African man to win a medal in the 100m at the World Athletics Championships. He’s 21. pic.twitter.com/Fp6HCQPKkQ

— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) August 8, 2024

Despite a slower personal best compared to Lyles, Tebogo’s determination and speed on the day were unmatched, marking a memorable victory at the Stade de France.

Bednarek, meanwhile, equalled his silver medal from Tokyo but couldn’t catch the blazing Tebogo.