Lydia Casey Jele: Mormon Athlete

Lydia Casey Jele became the first woman from Botswana to qualify for an Olympic track event. Jele ran the women’s 400-meter race in the 2016 Summer Olympics. She ran it in 52:24, placing her sixth in her heat and 27th overall.

She won a silver medal at the 2015 African Games in the 4x400-meter relay and a bronze medal at the 2014 African Championships, also in the 4x400-meter relay.

She was born June 22, 1990, and studied agriculture at the Bershite College of Agriculture. She married Offense Edward Jele in July 2011. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.