World Athletics witnessed a historic moment at the recent meeting of the World Athletics Council. The decision was made that the host for the 2029 World Athletics Championships would, for the first time in history, be chosen in an African city. Nairobi was selected as the host, breaking the tradition that these prestigious competitions are held exclusively in Western metropolises.
This decision marks a significant shift, given that London, which also submitted a bid, was left without the hosting rights. The British capital was one of four cities competing for the honour, with the bid presented by representatives of 'Athletic Ventures'. Despite London, Rome and other cities submitting bids, Kenya managed to win the confidence of the international community. London, on the other hand, missed the opportunity, having previously missed out on hosting the 2025 event.
Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, highlighted that the bids from all candidates were convincing, highlighting the high level of competition for the hosting rights. This decision brings great honour to Kenya, whose athletics are recognised as one of the strongest in the world. Kenya recently won seven gold medals at the 25th World Athletics Championships, winning a total of 11 medals, which confirms their status as a force in athletics.
Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, has already taken steps to prepare for this major event. The city has already begun renovating the Kasarani Stadium, which is part of the preparations for the 2027 African Cup. This preparation shows that Kenya has experience in hosting major international events, which further boosts confidence in its ability to host the 2029 World Championships.
This decision brings not only honour to Kenya, but also to the African continent, which is for the first time given the opportunity to host a World Athletics championship. This historic decision represents an important step in promoting African athletics at a global level, and opens up new opportunities for the development of the sport in the region. Kenya, as one of the most successful athletic nations, now has the opportunity to demonstrate its ability to host major international events, and to contribute to the development of athletics across Africa.
