The long-running debate surrounding elite athletes switching national allegiance in exchange for lucrative financial incentives has once again moved into the spotlight, following revelations from Olympic men’s 200 metres champion Letsile Tebogo.
Tebogo, who captured global attention at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, disclosed that he has been offered citizenship by three countries since his historic success. Speaking with Botswana-based radio station Duma FM, the 22-year-old revealed that Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia have all put what he described as “offers on the table.”
The sprinter made history in Paris by winning Botswana’s first-ever Olympic medal after storming to gold in the men’s 200 metres. He later added to his tally by securing a silver medal as part of Botswana’s men’s 4×400 metre relay team.
In recognition of his achievements, Tebogo was rewarded handsomely at home. The Botswanan government presented him with a newly built three-bedroom house, while members of the relay squad, himself included, were each awarded two-bedroom flats.
However, when pressed on whether a change of nationality is something he is seriously considering, the 22-year-old acknowledged the discussions but stressed that no decision has been made.
The issue of athletes changing national representation has been a growing talking point in global sport and came into sharp focus earlier this year when it was confirmed that a quartet of high-profile Jamaican athletes — Roje Stona, Wayne Pinnock, Rajindra Campbell and Jaydon Hibbert — switched allegiance to represent Turkey ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
