Nairobi will host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, making Kenya the first African country to stage the global outdoor athletics competition.
World Athletics announced the decision on Tuesday following a council meeting in Budapest.
Nairobi defeated bids from London, Munich and Rome to secure the 2029 event.
The 2031 championships will be held in Munich, Germany, while Beijing will host the 2027 edition.
Historic First for Africa
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe described Nairobi’s successful bid as a historic moment for the sport.
He said the decision would allow the championships to move across Asia, Africa and Europe over the next three editions.
“Taking our championships to Africa for the first time will be historic,” Coe said.
He added that Nairobi had presented a strong and compelling bid.
According to Coe, Kenya had demonstrated that the country was ready to host the world’s biggest athletics championship.
Kenya’s Strong Athletics Tradition
Athletics has a deep connection with Kenya.
The country has produced some of the world’s greatest distance runners, including Olympic and world champion Faith Kipyegon.
Coe praised Kenya’s athletes and the strong support athletics receives from fans across the country.
“Athletics is woven into the fabric of Kenya,” he said.
The country has also hosted several major athletics events.
These include the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, the 2017 World Under-18 Championships in Nairobi and the 2021 World Under-20 Championships in the capital.
Nairobi also hosted the 2010 African Athletics Championships.
Stronger Bid After 2025 Failure
Kenya previously attempted to host the World Athletics Championships in 2025 but was unsuccessful.
Coe said the Nairobi team learned from that experience and returned with a stronger proposal.
A major part of the new bid is the renovation of Kasarani Stadium.
The stadium is undergoing a major upgrade ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Kenya Celebrates Landmark Decision
Kenyan Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya welcomed the decision.
He said the award confirmed Kenya’s position as a major centre of world athletics.
Mvurya said running was more than a sport in Kenya.
He described it as part of the country’s national identity and expressed hope that the championship would inspire another generation of athletes.
Munich to Host 2031
While Nairobi secured the 2029 edition, Munich was selected to host the 2031 championships.
Coe praised Germany’s experience in organising major athletics events.
Munich previously hosted the European Athletics Championships in 2022.
The World Athletics president said the city had the facilities, audience and expertise needed to deliver a successful championship.
Expanding Athletics Beyond Europe
The decision means the next three World Athletics Championships will be held across different continents.
Beijing will host the 2027 edition.
Nairobi follows in 2029, before Munich takes over in 2031.
Coe acknowledged Europe’s importance to athletics but said World Athletics also had a responsibility to expand the sport globally.
He said taking major championships to new regions could help increase participation and grow athletics around the world.
