27 Apr 2026

When the starting gun fires at the National Stadium during the Debswana World Athletics Relays in Gaborone on May 2-3, athletes will not just be running for glory, records or national pride, but will be chasing a literal piece of the African soul.

Precisely, athletes will be eyeing the medals, which have redefined what it means to stand on a podium.

These medals are not just minted tokens of victory, but meticulous and masterful pieces of art that bridge the gap between ancient earth and modern speed.

Created with immense attention to detail and crafted with great precision and skill, the headline feature of these medals is a first for Africa and a masterstroke of luxury, a genuine and natural diamond studded into the crest of every single medal.

Unlike the synthetic stones found elsewhere, these are the pride of Botswana, pure and brilliant and forged over billions of years.

In an interview, medal designer, Thabo Maphanyane said he did not want to create a generic sports award, but rather wanted to sell Botswana’s story to the world.

Maphanyane noted that every curve and etching on the medal’s surface was a deliberate nod to the nation’s identity.

“This is home. This is a first for Africa. So, we were trying to make a medal that really speaks to the soul of Africans, to the soul of Batswana. We are indeed home and this medal allows people to take our home, a piece of our home, as well,” he said.

He added that the Mohembo Bridge acted as a symbol of business, connection and motion, the very elements that resonated deeply within the athletics space.

“Essentially, the point was just to show case our own for instance, Mohembo Bridge speaks to business, connection to motion, which is something that is very important in the athletics space,” he said.

Furthermore, he said the striking zebra pattern paid tribute to Botswana’s national animal, while the inclusion of wildlife and elephant tusks highlighted a world-leading conservation story that the nation carried with pride.

He added that the craftsmanship behind the medals was as enduring as the records they celebrated.

While the gold medal is crafted from actual gold, the silver is a feat of engineering, fortified aluminium mixed with a specialised steel designed to never erode, decay or rust.

“The medals are built to look as pristine in 50 years as they do the moment they are placed around an athlete’s neck,” he said.

Reflecting Botswana’s hospitality, he said the design team decided that brilliance should be shared by everyone who reached the podium.

“Whether you take home gold, silver or bronze, you are taking home a diamond. So, everybody has to leave knowing that their medal is just as priceless as the next medal. We do not want people to feel like, oh, number one, their medal is gold and it has a diamond, but mine is silver or bronze and it does not have a diamond,” Maphanyane explained.

For the athletes travelling from across the globe, the medals offer more than a memory. They offer physical connection to the continent.

“This is a chance to own a piece of the African soul. For the athletes, the medal reflects their brilliant performance. It is also how we achieve the brilliance. It’s the brilliance that all athletes that will come to Botswana are going to come and exhibit,” he said.

Consequently, when the world’s elite athletes step onto the National Stadium track next month, the stakes will be higher than ever. Winners will not just earn a medal, but they will carry the shine of a nation. ends