Botswana has declared a national holiday following their men’s 4x400m relay team’s gold medal victory at the recently concluded World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
The Botswana quartet of Lee Bekeumpilo Epee, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi stormed to victory with a time of 2:57.76 minutes, narrowly edging out the United States, who clocked 2:57.83 to claim silver. South Africa secured bronze.
Botswana President Duma Boko, addressing the nation online, hailed the achievement as a “historic victory for all of Africa.” He went on to announce September 29 as a national holiday, just a day before the country’s Independence Day, to honor the team’s achievement.
“This triumph must be celebrated in grand fashion, as it represents the strength and unity of our nation and our continent,” the President said.
