COTTAGE GROVE – After witnessing the true power of their athletic potential at the 2022 World Track & Field Championships, Cottage Grove residents relished in the glory of watching their Botswana guests win gold in the 200 meters and silver in the men’s 4×400 during the Paris Olympics this past weekend.
“While here in Cottage Grove training for the Worlds, we were able to see their talent and dedication,” said Shauna Neigh, project coordinator of Cottage Grove. “The team management and coaching created a great family amongst these amazing athletes. They were and are incredibly humble and deserving of the accolades received. ”
Letsile Tebogo, a Botswana sprinter, won the gold medal in the 200-meter sprint – he became the second athlete from the continent of Africa to achieve that feat. His win earned the first Olympic gold medal for Botswana. He also won the silver medal at the Oregon 2022 World Championships in the 100-meter sprint and followed it up with a bronze medal in the 200-meter sprint five days later.
Botswana also took the silver medal in the Paris Olympics for the men’s 4×400 meters relay. Botswana was only a tenth of a second behind the U.S. on Saturday, with Tebogo joined by Bayapo Ndori, Busang Collen Kebinatshipi and Anthony Pesela. Three of the four runners were here qualifying at the Worlds in ’22.
Cottage Grove city manager Mike Sauerwein said his hope is that the nation’s team will return in 2026. He looked over at the signed Botswana track and field jersey hanging up in the council center.
“First of all, every time I sit in this seat, I see this jersey over here from Botswana,” Sauerwein said. “They’ve already committed that they’d like to return to Cottage Grove to train here for the World Championships in 2026 and we’ll certainly welcome them back. So congratulations to our friends from Botswana.”
Neigh shares the same enthusiasm about hosting the team again in the future.
“We had so much fun sharing our town and showing them what a great community Cottage Grove is. It was a rare pleasure to see the fun, human side of this incredible team of athletes and their support staff. Cottage Grove would be honored to host them again. Hopefully, they will return for the 2026 Worlds.”
