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'Now it is your turn' - Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo reveals how mother's last message prepared him mentally

Letsile Tebogo faced one of the most difficult moment in his life after the loss of his mother Seratiwa who was his biggest fan.

Paris Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo has revealed how her mother's last message before she died made him accept the outcome.

Seratiwa passed away from breast cancer in May 2024, two months before the Paris Games. Her death interrupted Tebogo's season and led him to consider quitting the sport.

The 2021 world U-20 100m champion said it was one of the toughest moments in his life to accept that his mother was no more and that meant added responsibility for the then 20-year-old.

"I’m glad that when my mother saw that it was coming to an end, she told me: ‘I have tried to be strong my son, now it is your turn.’ So I think she was preparing me for what was going to happen," Tebogo told World Athletics.

Seratiwa was a huge influence on Tebogo's life and career. She advised him to switch from football to track and field, which was a move that paid off. Tebogo said that his mother was his greatest fan and that he carries her with him in every step he takes.

The 2022 200m African champion observed that he was left to take care of his little sister who is passionate about swimming. “It was not an easy journey and it was not an easy thing for me to overcome. I had to also be there for my little sister, be there for myself.

"My sister is 12. I don’t think she is going to follow in my footsteps because she is more into swimming, but she is proud of me,” he added.

In 2021, Tebogo became the first Botswana athlete to claim the 100m title at any World Championships level. He broke the 300m world record, running a time of 30.69 seconds on February 17, at altitude in Pretoria, South Africa.