Olympic Champion Tebogo Credits Athletics For Changing His Life

Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo has credited athletics for steering him away from a life of crime, saying the sport provided him with purpose and discipline during his youth.

Tebogo, who made history by winning Botswana's first-ever Olympic gold medal in Paris last year, shared his journey on Wednesday while discussing his new role as a global ambassador for the Kids Athletics scheme.

"Sport has helped me a lot because I think without it- probably I would be a criminal by now," the 21-year-old told reporters via video conference.

"In the neighbourhood where I grew up, crime was the only way to survive. But with sport, I knew I had to go to school, and after training, you're too tired to roam the streets or break into houses," he explained.

Realising the positive impact of athletics, Tebogo encouraged his childhood friends to take up sports, with some now pursuing football.