In a surprising turn of events for global track and field, Kenya’s capital Nairobi has defeated London to win the right to host the 2029 World Athletics Championship. The announcement marks a historic milestone for African athletics, bringing one of the sport’s most prestigious global competitions to the region for a landmark edition.
Following the confirmation of the bidding result, Kenyan President William Ruto publicly celebrated the successful bid, emphasizing that Kenya has long proven its status as a great sporting nation with a deep-rooted passion for athletics. The outcome not only recognizes Kenya’s growing influence in the global sports community but also paves the way for the country to showcase its organizational capabilities and cultural heritage to audiences around the world.
London, which had previously hosted successful editions of the World Athletics Championship, was widely seen as a leading contender in the bidding process, making Nairobi’s victory all the more notable for the global athletics community. As preparations now begin, stakeholders across the sport are looking ahead to what will be a momentous 2029 championship in East Africa.