Botswana: Botswanan athlete and sprint legend Letsile Tebogo has received the inaugural Jesse Owens Rising Star Award. The athlete was recently competed at the 2024 Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels.
The members of the ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture shared that they are proud of the achievements of the athlete. The members of the community have shared that it is the responsibility of the organization.
The officials have shared that the nation was extremely proud of the athlete and hoped that he would continue to bring success to the nation. The prestigious new award which Letsile Tebogo won in Brussels is named in honor of legendary US sprinter Jesse Owens.
The award celebrates exceptional young talents in athletics and is presented annually to one outstanding male and female athlete under the age of 23. The officials of the Ministry have shared that the leaders of the nation have claimed that the award encouraged the athlete to make the most of the product.
The Jesse Owens Rising Star Award was introduced in the year 2024. The aim of the award was to elevate and promote promising young athletes across all disciplines. The winners are selected based on a point system that grades performances across various events.
The stakeholders recognize those athletes who have demonstrated exceptional skill, perseverance, and potential. Tebogo’s performances throughout the 2024 season made him worthy of the award.
Letsile Tebogo was also given a bronze statuette of Jesse Owens, designed by renowned Belgian sculptor Jan Desmarets. This symbolic piece honors Owens’ legacy while celebrating Tebogo’s incredible achievements on the track.
In addition to the statuette, two oak trees will be planted in Brussels, the host city of the 2024 Wanda Diamond League Final, to honor the male and female Rising Star winners. One of these trees will stand as a tribute to Tebogo’s outstanding performance and commitment to the sport. This oak tree serves as a lasting legacy, symbolizing not only Tebogo’s excellence but also Botswana’s growing influence in global athletics.
The Jesse Owens Rising Star Award will continue to highlight the most promising young athletes at every Wanda Diamond League Final, fostering the next generation of sports talent and ensuring the continued impact of athletics worldwide.