Botswana celebrates historic 4x400m relay gold with public holiday

Botswana declared a public holiday on Monday, Sept. 29, to celebrate the country’s historic victory in the men’s 4x400 metres relay at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, marking the first time an African nation has won the event. The win came as Botswana’s relay team—Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi—edged out the United States, long the event’s dominant force, in a rain-soaked final. South Africa finished third.

The victory stands as Botswana’s latest milestone in a rapid ascent on the world athletics stage. Officials noted that the team’s triumph contributed to a medal tally that placed Botswana fifth in the championships’ final standings, behind the United States, Kenya, the Netherlands and Canada. The nation’s best-ever finish in a world championships medal table came after Botswana recorded two golds, one silver and one bronze across the event.

President Duma Boko announced the holiday in a public address delivered online from New York, where he was attending the United Nations General Assembly. He called the win a “historic African win,” praising the athletes for their performance and saying Botswana’s success underscored the country’s rising stature on the global stage. “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, adding that the moment was “electric.” The holiday was declared for Monday, a day ahead of Botswana’s Independence Day, which falls on Sept. 30.

In reflecting on the broader significance of the victory, government officials highlighted the role of athletics in shaping national identity and international perception. The team’s triumph at a world championship level followed Tebogo’s landmark Olympic victory in Paris the previous year—the nation’s first Olympic gold medal in the men’s 200 metres. That achievement sparked nationwide celebrations, including tens of thousands gathering at the National Stadium in Gaborone when Tebogo returned home. In the wake of that milestone, the government previously declared a half-day holiday to allow citizens to pause and celebrate, an initiative described by then-President Mokgweetsi Masisi as marking a “most unique … manner that will be etched in the annals of the history of the Republic.”

While the 4x400m relay victory was celebrated as a groundbreaking achievement for Botswana and African athletics, officials stressed that the celebration also reflected continued investment in sport infrastructure, coaching, and youth development. The win, along with Tebogo’s Olympic success, has fueled optimism about Botswana’s potential to challenge more established athletics powers in future world and Olympic competitions. Analysts noted that a sustained national emphasis on track and field could yield long-term benefits beyond medals, including increased participation, improved health outcomes, and strengthened national pride.

The team’s performance also drew attention to the broader trajectory of African athletics on the world stage. Botswana’s ascent, coupled with recent breakthroughs by other African nations in sprinting and middle-distance events, underscores a shifting balance in a sport historically dominated by athletes from North America and Europe. In a statement released after the race, regional sports bodies praised the Botswana squad for delivering a performance that combined tempo, precision, and endurance under pressure, even as rain fell on the track for portions of the final.

As Botswana prepares to observe the public holiday, the government reminded citizens that the day should serve not only as a celebration of achievement but also as a reminder of the work that remains to elevate the country’s standing across all sectors. Officials urged continued investment in youth and in training facilities, noting that the nation’s “diamond” qualities extend beyond natural resources to include athletic talent and perseverance on the world stage. The nation’s leadership has signaled that the achievements of Tebogo, Eppie, Ndori, and Kebinatshipi will be recognized as part of a broader national narrative about growth, resilience, and international recognition.