Sometimes, smaller nations celebrate their athletes in ways that even global powerhouses struggle to fathom. At major athletics events, medals often become so routine for countries like the U.S. that standout performances risk going unnoticed. Take the recent World Championships: Team USA shattered records with 26 medals, including 16 golds. Yet, despite this star-studded haul, their achievements didn’t garner the same level of recognition as Letsile Tebogo and his teammates enjoyed back home.

At the Tokyo World Championships, Botswana rewrote history as their 4x400m relay team, including Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, pulled off an impressive victory, edging out the goliath Team USA to claim gold. Well, through their historic run, they became the first African nation to triumph in the event. As they crossed the finish line, the nation celebrated the gold medal, and guess what, to honor this monumental achievement, the Government of Botswana has declared September 29 a public holiday.

You might think that’s all? Well, certainly not. Recently, Betway Botswana Country Manager, Michelle France-Mabiletsa, said the team’s success “captured the imagination of the entire country” and solidified Botswana’s standing as a powerhouse in the 400m. As per reports, the team’s total financial allocation amounts to almost $100,000 or P1.32 million. The breakdown shows $44890 for six gold medalists, $5237 for one bronze medalist, $11222 for three finalists, $13467 for four semi-finalists, $5985 for two reserves, $2619 for the head coach, $9352 for five assistant coaches and technical staff, and $5985 for four medical and administrative staff. Being a $4.75 billion powerhouse, Betway’s parent company, Super Group, has ensured its subsidiary gives credit where it’s due.

A grand gesture from the company for Botswana’s finest, but that wasn’t all. The nation itself honored its brightest star, Letsile Tebogo, with a remarkable gift. President Duma Boko hailed the triumph as the “historic African win,” praising the 4x400m squad in an online address. “I’ll be sure to tell everyone, Botswana’s natural diamonds are not just in the ground, they are our World Champion athletes,” the President declared.

Adding to the celebration, the Bank of Botswana unveiled a new P50 note featuring Olympic medalist Letsile Tebogo, marking both its Golden Jubilee and the rise of a national icon. Tebogo is a national icon of the country, and they know how to celebrate the Olympian. Guess what, when he won the Paris Olympic gold, he was bombarded with gifts from all across the nation.

Letsile Tebogo’s massive gift from the Paris Olympics

When the 22-year-old stormed across the finish line to claim the 200m gold at the Paris Olympics, it was a remarkable achievement not for him but for his country as well, as it was the first gold medal for Botswana. The entire country erupted in celebration with that gold medal. True to their words, the Government pledged a four-bedroom house in a location of his choice as part of the state honors for the nation’s first-ever Olympic champion. Well, that’s not all, Tebogo also received a cash prize of 250,000 pula (roughly $20,000) as well as an additional 50,000 pula for setting a new African record in the event.

Beyond the Government rewards, the athlete also benefited from generous support from the private institutions as well. One Local Retail Giant, Choppies Botswana, reportedly pledged him 1,000,000 pula (around $75,000) in recognition. All in all, if we were to talk only about his monetary compensation, he might have received somewhere around $300,000 from all of his wins.

Amid the cheers, Tebogo expressed his gratitude: “This is a happy moment. I would like to thank the nation for rallying behind me. I went through a lot.” Reflecting on the support from the government and the populace, he added, “I’m grateful for that also.” With back-to-back gold medals, the athlete is just getting started.