A similarity between Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo can be found in their attitude on the court—a firm standing in front of the daunting task. They often succeed in overpowering the barriers, and the prizes follow them. Noah won the men’s 100m event at the Paris Olympics, defeating arch-rival Kishane Thompson in the photo finish. Tebogo, on the other hand, humbled the favorite, Lyles, in the men’s 200m final at the Games. Surprisingly, both of them had to suffer the same thorn that had come with the prize. 

During his Paris Olympics endeavors, the American sprinter said, “I’m struggling with my mental… I’ve become kind of popular in the village. Unfortunately, that comes with its own set of challenges.” These challenges led him to lose “a safe place” in the Village. He couldn’t follow his own interest in that space. Now, after almost a month, Letsile Tebogo complained about the same crisis. 

After facing a defeat in the men’s 200m event at the Brussels Diamond League, the Motswana athlete grieved over lacking his own space. His added fandom crumbled the sphere he had loved to stay in. In the extended narration, the 21-year-old laid out, “I’m not a free human being here these days. I’m just a superstar in my country, of which I don’t like because I can’t even go to the mall, and just get something to eat for myself.” A hint of it was visible when he returned to his country after winning the Olympic gold. 

As per ESPN Africa’s update, in the homecoming celebration of Tebogo, approximately 30,000 people were present in the national stadium. The officials of the national government also witnessed the first individual Olympic champion in Botswana’s history. Ultimately, such raw emotions from the countrymen set him on Cloud 9. Not just his countrymen; the list of fans extended to his rival camp as well.

In his X-post, Fred Kerley shared, “Ima tell my kids this was Nelson Mandela.” The crown the South African leader put on Tebogo’s head showed the impression he had created with the individual Olympic championship medal. But also the popularity it has brought feels to be super heavy for the 21-year-old.

Now, he can’t walk freely in his birthplace. Even he can’t take up a profession of his preference. Explaining that pain, Letsile Tebogo said, “I can’t go back to my work. I just have to stick with it and then just keep on going forward, see how I could overcome the whole situation that’s there in my hands.” Therefore, the world has become limited to him. But what could be the way out for him from this strangling? Well, he could follow once Noah Lyles did.

Noah Lyles cleared his mind in front of the fans 

While in the Village of the Paris Olympics, Noah Lyles was facing immense popularity, and he had to do something to break the chain. The reigning world champion took up his social media to post a plea for all the fans.

In the Village, he had been facing the fandom of other athletes. However, his post took everyone into the fold. It said, “Even though we might be superstars in your eyes, we still are human beings and we do want to be able to have our space and our time. I want to be able to enjoy the Olympics just like you guys are.” The plea worked afterward, as Noah did not have to share a similar issue again.

So, Letsile Tebogo can follow such a step by penning a heartfelt plea for the fans. Until now, he has never carried out a similar step. Yet, the crisis has left him to stand in this position. Therefore, what do you think? Would Letsile Tebogo follow his rival on this ground? Let us know.