Athletics: A Look Back at Five Major Men’s Performances in 2024

1. Letsile Tebogo: The Jewel of Botswana

On 8 August 2024, Letsile Tebogo made history by becoming the first African to win a 200m gold medal at the Olympic Games since 1996. With an impressive time of 19:46, he beat favourites such as Kenneth Bednarek (19:62) and Noah Lyles (19:70). The victory also made him the first Batswana to win an Olympic title. Crowned the Male Athlete of the Year , Tebogo epitomises the rise of African athletics.

2. Soufiane El Bakkali: Master of the 3000 m Steeplechase

Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali confirmed his dominance in the 3000m steeplechase by retaining his Olympic title on August 7, 2024. With a time of 8’06”05 , he once again proved why he is considered the best in this discipline. Two-time world champion, El Bakkali benefits from an ideal morphology for the steeplechase, as Professor Greg Whyte pointed out: “He is the perfect archetype of the elite runner.”

3. Tamirat Tola: An Olympic Record in the Marathon

On August 10, at the Paris Olympics, Ethiopian Tamirat Tola won gold with a new Olympic record of 2:06:26 . At 33, he has cemented his place among the world’s marathon elite, having triumphed in New York in 2023. This memorable performance is a testament to his consistency and dominance in this demanding discipline.

4. Hugues Fabrice Zango: A Historic First

On March 2, 2024, Hugues Fabrice Zango from Burkina Faso won gold in the indoor triple jump at the World Championships in Glasgow. With a jump of 17.53 m , he surpassed Algerian Yasser Triki and Portuguese Tiago Pereira. Already an outdoor world champion, Zango continues to make history and position Burkina Faso on the world athletics stage.

5. Benson Kipruto: In the Top 5 of History

On March 3, 2024, Benson Kipruto inscribed his name among marathon legends. By winning the Tokyo Marathon with a time of 2:15:55 , he became the 5th best performer of all time . This record allowed him to overtake his compatriots Timothy Kiplagat and Vincent Kipkemoi, thus cementing his status as an icon of long-distance running.

Conclusion: An Exceptional Year for African Men’s Athletics

The year 2024 will be remembered as a remarkable season for African male athletes. From Letsile Tebogo to Benson Kipruto, El Bakkali, Tola and Zango, these feats illustrate not only their talent but also Africa’s growing dominance on the world stage. These performances, beyond their records, inspire a new generation of athletes to aim higher.