In a dramatic turn of events, Nigeria’s men’s relay team was disqualified from the 4×400 meters final at the Paris Olympics due to a line vi0lation, clearing the way for South Africa to take their place.
Despite initially finishing last in their heat, South Africa’s team will now join Botswana and Zambia in the final, set to take place tomorrow (10 August) at 21:00 Zambian time.
South Africa’s team, consisting of Gardeo Isaacs, Zakithi Nene, Antonie Nortje, and Lythe Pillay, had a strong lineup but faced a setback when Nortje was tripped up in the third leg, putting them behind pace.
Although they finished last in their heat with a time of 3:03.19, their luck changed with Nigeria’s disqualification.
Meanwhile, Botswana’s star-studded team secured their spot in the final by winning their heat, beating out strong competitors like Great Britain and the United States.
ALSO READ: Tebogo’s Golden Moment: Botswana declares half-day holiday
Meanwhile, the President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi proclaimed Friday afternoon a national holiday in honor of Letsile Tebogo, who won the 200-meter sprint gold medal in Paris on Thursday, the nation’s first Olympic gold medal.
Tebogo defeated American sprinters Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles to win the first 200-meter championship in Africa and rank fifth all-time in the history of the event.
In remembrance of his mother, who passed away in May, the 21-year-old raced wearing spikes with his mother’s birthdate on them, claiming to have carried her with him.
