Tebogo says late mother 'always there' ahead of emotional return to Budapest
Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo is preparing for a return to Budapest, the site of his 2023 World Championship success, following the death of his mother. He reflects on the emotional challenge of competing without her while drawing strength from their shared memories.
Why it matters
The story highlights the human side of elite athletics, focusing on the intersection of personal grief and professional performance.
Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo will return to Budapest for the Ultimate Championships next week, but the Hungarian capital is more than just another stop on the athletics calendar for the Botswana sprinter.
It is the city where the 23-year-old announced himself to the world and where his mother Seratiwa watched him make history for his country by claiming two medals at the 2023 World Championships.
This time Seratiwa will not be cheering on her son from the stands, having passed away in May 2024 after a short illness.
Having shared a close relationship with his mother - one she described as being more like a "brother and sister bond" - Tebogo admits that returning without her is difficult.
"I haven't really looked into the fact that I'm going now to Budapest without my mom," he said.
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