Nairobi Awarded 2029 World Athletics Championships
Nairobi has been selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, marking the first time the event will be held in Africa. The decision was confirmed at a World Athletics council meeting in Budapest.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe described Nairobi’s bid as “compelling and emotional”. He stated that bringing the championships to Africa for the first time would be historic and that the moment was right for the continent to host. “Nairobi has demonstrated emphatically that this is their moment,” Coe added, as reported by the BBC.
London had been a contender, with the London Stadium proposed as the venue. The UK’s bid was led by Athletic Ventures, a partnership including UK Athletics, London Marathon Events, and the Great Run Company. Jack Buckner, CEO of UK Athletics, expressed disappointment but congratulated Nairobi on their successful bid.
Other Hosting Decisions
Alongside Nairobi’s selection for 2029, Munich was confirmed as the host city for the 2031 World Athletics Championships. This marks a return to Germany for the event, which was previously held in Berlin in 2009.
Sebastian Coe noted that the council had four outstanding bids for both the 2029 and 2031 championships, making the decision difficult. He highlighted the mission to grow athletics globally, with the next three editions being hosted across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Nairobi’s Case and Athletics Legacy
Nairobi had previously bid for the 2025 championships, which were awarded to Tokyo. For the 2029 bid, the city’s Kasarani Stadium is undergoing renovation ahead of its hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in 2027, bolstering its credentials as a suitable venue.
Kenya’s strong connection to athletics was cited as a key factor. According to worldathletics.org, 68% of Kenyan people surveyed rated their interest in athletics as high, significantly above the global average. Kenya is also a highly successful nation in the sport, finishing second in the medal table at the 2025 World Athletics Championships with seven gold medals.
The bid was supported by £45 million in public funding. World Athletics president Coe also referenced Kenya’s rich tradition in distance running and its many celebrated athletes, including Faith Kipyegon, Eliud Kipchoge, and David Rudisha, in his statement.
UK Perspective and Future Events
While London missed out on the 2029 event, the UK is still set to host significant sporting events, including the Grand Depart of the men’s and women’s Tour de France cycling races in 2027 and the men’s Euros in 2028. Discussions are also ongoing regarding a potential Olympic bid for 2040.
British athletes, such as Amber Anning, expressed disappointment but recognised the historic significance of the decision for Africa. Greg Rutherford also commented on the strength of Nairobi’s bid.
Sources