In a landmark decision that shifts the global center of gravity for elite track and field, the Kenyan capital Nairobi has officially secured hosting rights for the 2029 World Athletics Championships. This milestone marks the first time in the tournament’s decades-long history that the prestigious athletics event will be held on African soil.BBC Sport Africa journalist Celestine Karoney has broken down the process, the significance, and the context behind this historic selection. For years, African athletes have dominated distance running and produced some of the biggest global stars in athletics, but the continent has never been given the opportunity to host the sport’s flagship event — a gap that this 2029 tournament will finally close.Kenya’s long-standing legacy of elite athletic performance, paired with growing infrastructure development in Nairobi and widespread regional support from athletics federations across the African continent, all played key roles in securing the hosting bid. The announcement has already sparked excitement across the global athletics community, with many observers noting that this move will not only celebrate Africa’s deep contributions to the sport but also inspire a new generation of young athletes across the continent to pursue excellence at the highest level of competition.