Nairobi to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships
Amman4 min read
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In a historic first, Kenya will host the first World Athletics Championships to be organized in Africa in 2029, after Nairobi submitted a "compelling and impactful" bid, according to World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
The international body added, at the conclusion of its council meeting held in Budapest following the "Ultimate" championship held over the weekend, that the 2031 edition of the World Championships has been awarded to Munich (Germany). London and Rome were also competing to host one of the two editions.
"We were fortunate to receive four high-quality bids for 2029 and 2031, and the decision was not easy," Coe said in a press conference.
The former British middle-distance champion added, "Today's decision means that the next three editions of the World Championships will be held in Asia, Africa, and Europe," referring to the fact that the 2027 edition will be held in Beijing.
He continued, "Organizing the World Championships for the first time in Africa is a historic event. Nairobi presented us with a bid that was both compelling and impactful," stressing the importance of Africa hosting its first World Athletics Championships "with the right host, the right bid, and in the right circumstances."
Coe emphasized, "Nairobi has remarkably proven that the time has come to give a new impetus to the development of our sport in Kenya and across Africa, with the promise of a strong legacy capable of inspiring an entire continent."
A much stronger bid
Kenya had already bid to host the 2025 World Athletics Championships, which ultimately went to Tokyo. However, the country hosted the World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa in 2007, and its capital hosted the World U18 Championships in 2017 and the U20 Championships in 2021.
Nairobi also hosted the African Championships in 2010.
Coe explained, "The Nairobi team benefited from the experience gained during the bid for the 2025 edition, drew the necessary lessons, and presented a much stronger bid. This is based in particular on the renovation of the Kasarani Stadium, which is currently undergoing comprehensive modernization work in preparation for hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations."
The Briton added, "Athletics is an integral part of the social fabric in Kenya," citing Faith Kipyegon, the global and Olympic star in middle-distance races, among many Kenyan athletes who "have left their mark on the history of our sport," and praising the "exceptional" level of public engagement in this East African country.
Kenya's time
Kenyan President William Ruto wrote on the X platform: "It is Kenya's time, it is Africa's time, and this is a victory for generations of athletes who have made our nation synonymous with excellence on the tracks, roads, and in cross-country races."
He added, "We will fulfill this trust by organizing an unforgettable championship worthy of our athletes, our country, and our continent."
For his part, Kenyan runner Paul Tergat, a two-time Olympic medalist and five-time world cross-country champion, told Agence France-Presse, "The decision was not easy, but Kenya imposes itself as a natural choice thanks to its long history of success in athletics."
At the World Championships in Tokyo, Kenya finished second in the overall standings behind the United States with 11 medals (7 golds, 2 silvers, and 2 bronzes).
However, Kenya has faced an increase in doping cases in recent years. Among the prominent Kenyan athletes who have been suspended are two former winners of the London Marathon: Olympic medalist Wilson Kipsang, who won the race in 2012 and 2014, and Daniel Wanjiru, who won the 2017 edition. The number of currently suspended Kenyan athletes exceeds one hundred.
On the other hand, Coe noted that there is "great interest" in hosting the 2028 edition of the "Ultimate" championship, which was launched this year as a three-day competition format that concludes the season and brings together elite athletes.
