Letsile Tebogo insists 'all African athletes' deserve an apology

Botswana sprinter Letsile Tebogo has doubled down on his criticism of the Netflix docuseries SPRINT, insisting all African athletes deserve an apology over the manner their stories were ignored.

Olympics 200m champion Letsile Tebogo has maintained his criticism of the Netflix docuseries SPRINT, saying it is not just him who was disrespected but all African athletes.

Tebogo expressed his reservations on the documentary that gives fans an inside look into the lives of top sprinters on and off the track after terming the latest episode as an ‘American show’ for its bias towards certain athletes.

With the sprinter not featured in Season 1, he made a cameo appearance in Season 2, his involvement coming past the 20 minutes while American sprinter Noah Lyles’ rivalry with Fred Kerley dominating.

Akani Simbine joins Tebogo, Ta Lou-Smith in calling out SPRINT docuseries for ‘neglecting’ African sprinters

The decision has been met with surprise and dismay among athletics fans and other athletes have joined in, criticizing the producers for ignoring African athletes.

Responding to a fan who said online that Tebogo, Marie Josee Ta Lou-Smith and McKenzie Long deserve an apology from Netflix, the Botswana sprinter replied: “All the African athletes.”

A number of athletes have also voiced their displeasure over the bias in coverage with African athletes not given prominence.

“Another season and yet again Sprint looks over the African story,” South African sprinter Akani Simbine also weighed in.

Africa’s fastest woman Ta Lou-Smith was the first one to hit out at the producers of the documentary when she accused them of disrespecting her by not featuring her after filming her all season.

“I feel really disrespected because when you say you are going to produce a series about the fastest sprinters in the world, you should show [feature] everyone, not only those who win,” Ta Lou-Smith told The Inside Lane in September.

‘This is an American show’ – Letsile Tebogo joins Ta Lou-Smith in slamming ‘biased’ SPRINT docuseries

“Track and field is not only about winning, it is also about people who overcome different situations, good or bad. So, if you want to show the real life of track and field, show everything, don’t leave out others.

“Do not follow people for many hours, record them and just show the people who win, this is not good. I am the African record holder I deserve respect.”