GABORONE, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Botswana President Duma Boko on Monday unveiled the medals for the World Athletics Relays, which for the first time in the event's history feature natural diamonds from Botswana.
The launch took place at the National Museum in Gaborone, the country's capital, as part of efforts to position Botswana's diamond industry for the future through value chain development, provenance-led marketing and downstream commercialization.
Speaking at the event, Boko said the medals were more than a design choice, describing them as a statement and a powerful reminder that behind every natural diamond is a place, a people and a story shaped by time, pressure, responsibility and vision. "For the first time in the history of global athletics, the medals of the World Athletics Relays will feature a natural diamond from Botswana," he said.
He added that as athletes compete for these medals, they will not only race for victory but also carry a piece of Botswana with them.
The Okavango Diamond Company has committed 10 million pula (about 746,000 U.S. dollars) in sponsorship for the event, including 120 medals embedded with Botswana natural diamonds that were cut and polished locally.
Botswana's Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, said the country is looking forward to welcoming the world and seeing champions rise on Botswana soil, inspired by the spirit of the southern African nation.
The event, which will take place from May 2 to 3, 2026, will be held on African soil for the first time and is expected to bring together a large number of athletes and support staff from more than 56 countries and regions to compete across different medal events, he said.
Botswana's team features a strong lineup, including Olympic 200m gold medalist and 4x400m silver medalist Letsile Tebogo, alongside Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, the current 400m world champion, and others. ■
