Botswana’s dream of becoming world champions in the men’s 4x400m relay finally came true on a wet night, as they stormed past the United States and South Africa in a dramatic finish.
For much of the race, it looked as if history would repeat itself. The U.S., winners of nine of the last ten titles in this event, seemed destined for another gold medal when anchor Rai Benjamin, fresh from his 400m hurdles triumph, took the baton with a slender two-metre cushion heading into the last stretch. South Africa and Botswana, both chasing hard, appeared locked in a fight for second.
Zakithi Nene, drafted into the South African team after placing fifth in the individual race, surged on the outside to threaten the Americans. But in the middle of the track, Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi produced a final burst of speed that stunned the field. Just as he had done in the individual 400m, the 20-year-old sliced between his rivals and carried Botswana home in 2:57:76, delivering the country’s first global relay crown.
The margin could not have been tighter behind him. The United States clung on to silver, edging South Africa by two-thousandths of a second, both teams credited with 2:57:83.
For Botswana’s young star Letsile Tebogo, who ran the second leg, the victory was especially sweet. After the heartbreak of Tokyo—where a false start ruled him out of the 100m final and he missed a 200m medal by one place—this was redemption. Tebogo had already earned Olympic silver in Paris, alongside an individual 200m title, but this relay triumph carried an added layer of emotion. His blistering 44.05 split on the back straight put Botswana level with the Americans, keeping the dream alive.
Bayapo Ndori, bronze medalist in the 400m, kept the pressure on before handing the baton to Kebinatshipi, whose composure and brilliance sealed the deal.
Once the gold was secure, Tebogo was the first to launch the celebrations. The Botswana quartet, clad in light blue, splashed joyfully through puddles on the rain-soaked track, their exuberance reminiscent of Singin’ in the Rain.
The United States, who nearly failed to reach the final after a sixth-place finish in their heat, had earlier survived a run-off against Kenya following Zambia’s disqualification. South Africa, meanwhile, were kept in contention thanks to a vintage performance by their veteran world record holder, Wayde Van Niekerk, on the third leg.
Belgium’s consistent squad claimed fourth in 2:59:48, ahead of Qatar (3:01:64) and Great Britain (3:03:05).
On a night of heavy rain, Botswana’s brilliance shone brighter than ever, ending America’s dominance and writing a new chapter in athletics history.
