From all the corners of the nation’s capital Gaborone, Batswana and all other nationals echoed a sigh of pride when the Olympics 2024 troops descended at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport on Tuesday 13 August 2024 afternoon. After raising the blue, black and white flag high in the city of love, Paris – it was time for the Chief De Mission Oreeditse Marakakgoro to present the flag back to the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture Tumiso Rakgare.
Not only as the General that led to the Team Botswana at Olympics with the highest success ever since the country’s first participation in 1980, she is the first woman to attain the same position. “We are back from France and I want to thank the people of France for their hospitality, our team never complained of anything and they displayed a manner that represents a Motswana. We are back in the country with an Olympic spirit, it is here and we are grateful”, said the jubilant Marakakgoro.
With the team led by the sensational 21 year old Tebogo Letsile as the flag bearer, the athletes of the two sporting codes that represented Botswana – swimming and athletics knew from social media euphoria that the nation awaits its heroines but never had the courage to think of a filled up National Stadium’s 20 000 capacity with other spectators failing to enter the stadium at another estimated 10 000 population. The National Stadium, stripped in the national colors roared with joy.
“I want to thank this team for holding me as I experienced personal problems ahead of the games. I wasn’t easy but what was more important was the flag on everyone’s chest”, said Letsile briefly. It’s everyone’s pride. From the presidency office to a street vendor, all displaying the Botho factor. The business sector from transport industry donated the buses to ferry People from different destinations to the airport subsequent to a motorcade around the city until at the stadium. Parliament has to adjourn to be on time for the heroes.
When welcoming the crème dela crème, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi assured the nation that the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 will further show the commitment of Botswana government to sport. “I am delighted at the performance that this team displayed at the games. We assure you that the government and private sector will this week award these athletes, all of them handsomely as an encouragement”, said Masisi to a cheerful crowd.
For his part, Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture Tumiso Rakgare assure spectators that the country will deliver on all promises that they assured the athletes, pointing to medallists apartments incentive.
