The ongoing World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou is proving to be a graveyard for Olympic champions. After Team USA failed to secure a podium finish, Botswana also failed to secure any medal in the 4x100m relay. But wasn’t this already bound to happen? A team that won the last edition of the World Relays held in the Bahamas and then went on to challenge Team USA in Paris was not even on the podium at this year’s World Relays edition. And if there is one person to blame for this debacle, it is Paris Olympics gold medalist Letsile Tebogo.

Earlier this week, Letsile Tebogo, along with Bayapo Ndori and Collen Kebinatshipi, announced their withdrawal from the World Athletics Relays in China. “We regret to inform you that three of our men’s 4×400 metres relay team members, namely Letsile Tebogo, Collen Kebinatshipi, and Bayapo Ndori, have officially withdrawn from the team for personal reasons,” read part of the statement from The Botswana Athletics Association.

After their star sprinters’ exit, even Botswana knew they may not be able to defend their title.  Justice Dipeba, a renowned track and field coach in the country, had already predicted the outcome even before the race. “It is going to be a mountain to climb (task) and it is not going to be easy for the young boys to defend the title. The young boys will give their best to do whatever they can in order for them to qualify for the World Championships and this is the objective right now,” Dipeba told MmegiSport on Friday from China.

Meanwhile, Botswana still decided to defend its title with Karabo Mothibi, Larona Mayana, Godiraone Kevin Lobatlamang, and Tumo Statago Van Wyk. But what unfolded was a nightmare no one saw coming. Going with a new squad after early hiccups in the form of star players’ absence, expectations were lukewarm, but a distant fifth in Heat 4 of the World Championships Qualifying Round 1, clocking just 38.49 seconds, was not enough. Despite a national record and a respectable reaction time of 0.165 seconds, the result was a gut punch. What could derail a team with such expectations?

Had it not been for Letsile Tebogo, who became the first individual from his country to win a gold medal, Botswana would not have had a memorable Olympics in Paris. Apart from winning gold in the 200m event, Tebogo helped his country win silver in the relay race. Well, while Mothibi, Mayana, Lobatlamang, and Van Wyk gave their all, their 38.49-second national record is 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.