Botswana declares public holiday after historic World Athletics gold medal victory. The southern African country made history at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo when their men’s 4x400m relay team won gold, becoming the first African nation to achieve this feat.
President Duma Boko announced that September 29 will be observed as a national holiday to honor the team’s triumph, just a day before Botswana’s official Independence Day on September 30. In his speech, he described the victory as a proud moment for both Botswana and Africa, calling the athletes “our World Champion diamonds.”
The Botswana men’s 4x400m relay team, Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, stunned the world by defeating the United States, who had dominated the event for ten consecutive championships. South Africa secured the bronze medal.
This Botswana declares public holiday decision highlights the nation’s growing reputation in athletics. Just last year, Letsile Tebogo made history by winning Botswana’s first Olympic gold in the men’s 200m at the Paris 2024 Games, a moment that was also celebrated with a half-day holiday.
The president, speaking from the United Nations General Assembly in New York, emphasized that this victory symbolized Botswana’s rising global stature. He added that the men’s 4x400m team has given the nation a reason to celebrate with pride and unity.
Botswana declares public holiday to mark this achievement not only as a sports victory but as a symbol of national identity. The gold medal also helped Botswana secure their best ever medal tally at the World Athletics Championships, finishing fifth overall with two golds, one silver, and one bronze.
With this success, Botswana declares public holiday to inspire future generations, showing that determination and talent can put the nation on the world stage. The victory has become more than a sporting milestone, it is a national celebration that will remain in the country’s history.
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