24 Jul 2024

Sprinter, Letsile Tebogo and swimmer, Maxine Egner have been chosen as Botswana’s flag bearers for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which starts tomorrow until August 11.

The pair joins the likes of Gilbert Khunwane, Khumiso Ikgopoleng, Amantle Montsho, Justice Dipeba, Rajab Mahommed, among others, who have been given the opportunity to hoist the Botswana flag during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics.

The practice of hoisting the nations flags first began at the 1908 London Olympics.

Each country is preceded into the Olympic stadium by an athlete or a representative carrying their country’s flag.

And for the first time in the Olympic Games history, countries will parade their flags outside the stadium to show their presence at the Games. 

The Olympics opening and closing ceremonies are not only about festivities, but also about athletes and technical staff having the opportunity to parade in their best attires for all to see. 

For Botswana, they will be draped in the traditional attire of Leteise during the ceremonies.

On what motivated the Leteise theme, Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) business development and strategy manager, Baboni Kupe said historically, BNOC took the opportunity to showcase Leteisi or German print, which was the most common attire amongst Batswana, on the largest sporting stage.

Kupe said it was traditionally worn during wedding ceremonies, which signified a new beginning and a celebratory chapter in the lives of the couple.

“This is also true for our athletes, who during the parade, will be entering a new chapter as they represent our country on the global stage,” she said.

Kupe said wearing the traditional attire allowed local designers to display their ingenuity and creativity using a print, which also carried the weight of Botswana culture. 

She said the choice of the royal blue, being the best known colour of the Leteisi, also had a deeper meaning, signifying peace, unity and the ever scarce water.

“It is an extension of the same peace, unity and Pula that is encompassed in the colours of our flag. 

It is therefore our desire to have our athletes proudly wear this print as proud Batswana,” she said. ENDS