Nairobi has been selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, making it the first African city to hold the event. The announcement was made by World Athletics following a council meeting in Budapest on Tuesday, where the city triumphed over bids from London, Munich, and Rome.
Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision given the strength of the four competing bids. He noted that the organization is now able to rotate the championships across Asia, Africa, and Europe over the next three editions, with Beijing already set to host the 2027 event and Munich awarded the 2031 games.
“Taking our championships to Africa for the first time will be historic,” Coe stated during a press conference. He emphasized that Nairobi presented a compelling and emotional bid, demonstrating the right circumstances and infrastructure to boost the sport’s development across the continent.
Kenya previously attempted to host the 2025 championships but was unsuccessful. However, Coe praised the Kenyan team for learning from that experience and returning with a stronger proposal. The bid includes the renovation of Kasarani Stadium, which is currently being overhauled ahead of its role in hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Nairobi has a recent history of hosting major track and field events, including the 2010 African Athletics Championships, the 2017 World Under-18 Championships, the 2021 World Under-20 Championships, and the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa. Coe highlighted that the upcoming 2029 event aims to leave a lasting legacy that inspires athletic growth throughout Africa.
Historic, yes, but will the legacy truly reach grassroots levels? Infrastructure concerns remain. Let’s hope this isn’t just another white elephant project.
Absolutely thrilled! Kenya has the talent, and this is huge for African athletics. Can’t wait to see the world championships in Nairobi!