Botswana Declares Public Holiday After Historic 4x400m Relay Win at World Athletics Championships
Botswana has declared a public holiday on September 29th to celebrate its team's historic gold medal victory in the men's 4x400m relay at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. This monumental win marks the first time an African nation has claimed the top spot in this event.
A Nation Celebrates a Historic Victory
President Duma Gideon Boko announced the public holiday, which falls the day before Botswana's Independence Day, to honor the team's achievement. The winning quartet consisted of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi. Their stunning performance saw them edge out the United States and South Africa in a thrilling race, securing Africa's first-ever gold in the men's 4x400m relay at the World Championships.
“I’ll be sure to tell everyone, Botswana’s natural diamonds are not just in the ground, they are our World Champion athletes,” President Boko declared, highlighting the connection between the nation's resources and its athletic prowess. He made the announcement while attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Race and Its Significance
The race, held in driving rain in Tokyo, saw Collen Kebinatshipi, who had also won the individual 400m title, run a superb final leg to secure the victory. Botswana clocked a national record of 2:57.76, beating the United States (2:57.83) and South Africa (2:57.83), who finished with an equal time.
This victory is particularly significant as the United States had dominated the event for the past two decades, winning nine of the last ten world titles. The team's triumph represents a major upset and signals Botswana's growing prominence on the global track and field stage. This is the culmination of hard work and dedication from the athletes and their coaches.
National Pride and Future Aspirations
The public holiday is not the first time Botswana has celebrated its athletes. A half-day holiday was declared last year to celebrate Letsile Tebogo's gold medal win in the 200m at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This continuing recognition underscores the government's commitment to sports development and the importance of athletic excellence in shaping the nation's identity.
President Boko emphasized that this victory is a testament to the resilience, self-belief, and hard work of the athletes. He stated that it is a “historic African victory” and a source of immense national pride. The win builds on the success of the 2024 Olympics, setting the stage for even greater achievements in the future.
Key Moments and Quotes
- President Duma Boko: "Diamonds, Botswana's natural resources, are not only in the country, but also in our athletes, world champions."
- Collen Kebinatshipi: “I had to run the most strategic leg because of the weather... I knew I had to go strong but still save energy for the last 100 metres. At the last 80m I pushed and started running faster. I’m really grateful to come home with two gold medals.”
- Rai Benjamin (U.S. Anchor): “I wanted to bring gold for these guys... I’m a bit disappointed I couldn’t do that today. The guys put me in a great position. We weren’t even supposed to be here, so taking a silver is pretty good.”
Looking Ahead
Botswana's success in the 4x400m relay is a momentous occasion that will be celebrated for years to come. The public holiday is a fitting tribute to the athletes' hard work and dedication, and it serves as an inspiration to future generations of Botswana athletes. This victory has etched Botswana into the history books as a nation to be reckoned with on the global stage.
