They looked unstoppable. One year ago, the world watched in awe as Botswana’s men’s 4x400m team announced themselves as global powerhouses. A country of just over 2 million people had slowly but steadily built a sprinting legacy. At the heart of it was Letsile Tebogo, the teenage prodigy who made history in Budapest by becoming the first African to medal in both the 100m (silver) and 200m (bronze) at the World Championships in 2023. Watch What’s Trending Now! But what truly captured imaginations was his seamless transition into the quarter-mile arena. As the team blazed around the track, fans could feel it: Botswana was fast! Come 2024, with the U.S. men controversially DQ’d in the heats of World Relays 2024 in the Bahamas, the path opened for the Botswana team, consisting of Bayapo Ndori, Leungo Scotch, Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, and Letsile Tebogo, and Botswana charged through, running 2:59.11, the world’s fastest time of the year and the first gold medal in relays in Botswana history! But now? The 2025 relays were shaping up to be an epic until they weren’t. And what followed next has left fans stunned, questioning, and desperate for answers. So, what happened? Just days before the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) has confirmed that Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi—three pillars of their historic 4x400m relay team—have officially withdrawn from the competition, citing personal reasons.

The announcement came through a formal release from BAA, which stated, “We regret to inform you that three of our men’s 4×400 metres relay team members, namely Letsile Tebogo, Collen Kebinatshipi, and Bayapo Ndori, have officially withdrawn from the team for personal reasons.”

Which Botswana sprinter made history by medaling in both the 100m and 200m at the 2023 World Championships?

In response to the news, the Botswana Athletics Association Board added, “The Botswana Athletics Association Board has unanimously agreed that the trio be withdrawn as per their request.” “The nation must rest assured that the remaining team members will do their best and must rally behind the team as always.

However, this unexpected withdrawal has left fans and experts alike stunned. With Tebogo, the breakout sprinting star, Ndori, the dependable anchor, and Kebinatshipi, the solid lead-off leg, all stepping aside, the question on everyone’s mind is, what happened?