Ethiopia’s long distance runner, Sisay Lemma, and Kenyan female marathon sensation, Hellen Obiri, teamed up to give Africa a double podium standing at the 128th Boston Marathon which ended on Tuesday.

The Africans completely dominated the race with Lemma emerging victorious in the men’s race while Obiri nicked it in the women’s version which also had a plethora of African stars who also stood out in the races.

In the men’s race, the 33-year-old Lemma finished in a time of 2:06:17 which was a sort of redemption for him after missing out on two previous editions of the Marathon due to injury.

His compatriot, Mohamed Esa, finished second while Kenyan Evans Chebet finished third, with only one non-African, American CJ Albertson who finished in 7th place, making the top 10.

Speaking after the race, Lemma said:

“Previously, I hadn’t finished this race, so I wanted to redeem myself, which is why I came. Fortunately, I was able to redeem myself, so I’m happy.

“My plan was to beat the course record, but the hills at the end really tired me out.

“The reason I ran in Boston is that the course is similar to the Olympic one, so I hope it will be good preparation for the Paris Games.”

In the women’s race, it was a Kenyan affair as Obiri came out on top in a time of 2:22:37 to retain her title in the American city.

She was followed by two of her compatriots, Sharon Lokedi, 2:22:45 and Edna Kiplagat, 2:23:21.

Men top five results:

1- Sisay Lemma (ETH) 2:06:17

2- Mohamed Esa (ETH) 2:06:58

3- Evans Chebet (KEN) 2:07:22

4- John Korir (KEN) 2:07:40

5- Albert Korir (KEN ) 2:07:47

Women top five results:

1- Hellen Obiri (KEN) 2:22:37

2- Sharon Lokedi (KEN) 2:22:45

3- Edna Kiplagat (KEN) 2:23:21

4- Buze Diriba (ETH) 2:24:04

5- Senbere Teferi (ETH ) 2:24:04

Botswana sprint star, Letsile Tebogo, has talked of his ambition to match his idol, Usain Bolt, with the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics kicking off in July in the horizon.

Tebogo who had been tipped by many as the next big star in the world of athletics, has also not been resting on his oars as he has backed up his desire with some impressive performances in the circuit by winning silver in 100m and bronze in 200m at the 2023 World Championships.

The 20-year-old also started the 2024 season like a house on fire, first running a world leading 19.94 in 200m at the ASA Athletics Grand Prix in Johannesburg, South Africa, before lowering his personal best in 400m with a time of 44.29 in Pretoria in March.

Before then, he had shattered the 300m world record in February, clocking an impressive 30.69 at the Simbine Curro Classic, a time that was a better than those managed by Bolt and US legend, Michael Johnson.

And with Olympics looming, Tebogo told sport journalists he has set “lofty ambitions” for himself and believes a good outing in Paris will put him on the road to becoming one of the greats like his idol.

“He (Bolt) is my idol – the person I most look up to. What he achieved was truly amazing. Whenever he ran, I watched him on TV,” Tebogo said.

“Everyone remembers Usain and I would love them to remember me too when I hang up my running shoes. I do not have to be the number one of all time – being among the top three will do just fine.”

Tebogo is seeking to become the second athlete from his country to win an Olympics medal after Nijel Amos claimed silver at the 2012 London edition.

He also believes Africa has great potential in the sprints and the time to show it on a global stage has come.

“The time has come for African athletes to dominate sprint events on the international stage,” the University of Oregon undergraduate said.

Tebago was the first African to win a medal in 100m at the World Championships last year, and since then, has continued to tower above his competitors in sprints.