The stage was set for a blazing showdown at the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China. Botswana’s men’s 4x100m relay team, riding the high of their nation’s Olympic heroics in Paris 2024, carried the weight of a proud nation. Going with a new squad after early hiccups in the form of star players’ absence, expectations were lukewarm. Still, fans dreamed of baton exchanges as smooth as silk, a performance that would punch their ticket to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. The Guangdong Olympic Stadium buzzed with anticipation on May 10, ready to witness Botswana’s sprinters light up the track. But what unfolded was a nightmare no one saw coming. What could derail a team with such expectations?

The answer hit like a thunderbolt. Botswana’s 4x100m relay team—Karabo Mothibi, Larona Mayana, Godiraone Kevin Lobatlamang, and Tumo Statago Van Wyk—finished a distant fifth in Heat 4 of the World Championships Qualifying Round 1, clocking 38.49 seconds. Despite a national record and a respectable reaction time of 0.165 seconds, the result was a gut punch. The team failed to advance, their hopes of Tokyo qualification shattered. The absence of key figures loomed large, as the squad struggled without the firepower that had defined Botswana’s recent success. Why was this team, expected to dominate, suddenly so vulnerable?

The root of the disaster traced back to a shocking announcement days earlier. On May 5, the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) revealed that Letsile Tebogo, alongside teammates Bayapo Ndori and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, had withdrawn from the World Relays for personal reasons. The trio, integral to Botswana’s 4x400m silver medal in Paris, left the team reeling. “We regret to inform you that three of our men’s 4×400 metres relay team members… have officially withdrawn from the team for personal reasons,” the BAA stated, urging fans to support the remaining athletes. Tebogo’s absence, in particular, was a crippling blow—his 200m Olympic gold and relay experience were irreplaceable. Could the makeshift 4x100m squad overcome such a massive loss?

Well, while Mothibi, Mayana, Lobatlamang, and Van Wyk gave their all, their 38.49-second national record a testament to their resilience. Yet, in a heat where only the top teams advanced, their effort fell short. The absence of Tebogo’s blistering pace and relay savvy was glaring, and the team’s baton exchanges couldn’t match the precision of their rivals. The BAA had banked on the World Relays to secure a Tokyo berth, where the top 14 teams in each relay event would qualify. Instead, fifth place left Botswana’s dreams in ruins. As the nation grapples with this setback, one question burns: Can Botswana’s relay program recover without its biggest stars? While the national record is a start, it has a long way to the pinnacle of international glory. Meanwhile, the Olympic champion had clarified his dreaded absence from the World Relays.

Earlier, Tebogo had spoken up about his withdrawal announcement

Tebogo’s withdrawal sparked a firestorm of speculation. Fans on social media hinted at unpaid incentives, alleging the trio received only P20,000 for qualifying. Tebogo swiftly addressed the rumors. “I wish to clarify that my withdrawal was not a decision taken lightly,” he told Mmegi Online. “A personal decision was made in the best interest of all parties involved, and in full alignment with my long-term goals as a professional athlete.” His words suggested a focus on individual events, but for the team left behind, the impact was immediate and brutal. The 4x100m squad, patched together without their star, lacked the cohesion and speed to compete in a stacked heat. But the Olympic champion has goals in mind, not just for himself but for his country at large.

Tebogo remained defiant in his commitment to Botswana. “I remain fully committed to my country, the team, and the advancement of athletics in Botswana,” he said, apologizing to fans for his absence. After all, the Olympian’s commitment to solidifying the future of sports in Botswana, Tebogo, was named the ambassador for the World Athletics’ Kids’ Athletics program. The program would be set in motion starting in Letsile Tebogo’s country itself. Moreover,  his focus on long-term goals hints at a return to individual glory, perhaps in the 200m at the World Championships. But for the 4x100m team, the road ahead looks daunting. The loss of three-quarters of the Olympic 4x400m silver-winning squad exposed vulnerabilities that may take years to mend. With the 2026 World Relays set for Gaborone, Botswana’s home soil, the pressure is on.