WORLD CHAMP NEXT DOOR

Letsile certainly seems like someone unlikely to let his sudden rise to fame get the better of him, but he has however admitted that things have been different since his name became a global brand in recent months.

“I must admit I am now a complete new Letsile, Batswana are happy and that is very much appreciated,” he said with a candid smile. “When I think of going out for shopping, I have to consider the fact that I’ll have to spare some time to take pictures with people, which was not the case before; that sometimes sees me stay home most of the time, now that we are starting our season, I think I will have less time to go out as I’ll need to rest,” Letsile told Sun Sport. “These days I sometimes have to hide my face or ask someone to do shopping on my behalf; once I go out there, there’s a lot of interest; I understand that though, I can’t tell them I’m tired so I really try to make time for everyone, it’s hectic,” he said. It is no surprise that the public has fallen in love with the Kanye born superstar following his remarkably impressive displays in recent continental and world events. The challenge on the track however has remained the same for him, it is always about having fun and enjoying the race. “Whether I am the target or not it’s up to them; we go into the track to compete and focus on what we’ve been doing at training. I am never under pressure, every time I go into the track there is a simple rule, ‘just enjoy the race, the rest will follow,” he said. Now a role model to the younger ones, the humble Letsile shares that plans are underway to find ways through which he can positively impact more on the society and help to groom younger and aspiring athletes to reach their dreams. Preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics are in motion and the local sprint sensation will be looking to engrave his name into the history books to join Nijel Amos and become an Olympic medalist.