Kenya is set to host the World Athletics Championships in 2029 after Nairobi won the rights to stage the global track and field extravaganza, marking a major milestone for the country’s athletics ambitions.
The announcement, highlighted by the Daily Nation on Wednesday, September 16, places Kenya at the centre of international athletics and will see the country welcome thousands of athletes, officials and fans from around the world.
Nairobi emerged victorious after competing against major European cities, including London, Rome and Munich, in the race to host the biennial championships.
The event will be staged on African soil for the first time when Kenya hosts the championships in 2029. The decision is expected to give the country an opportunity to showcase its long-standing athletics tradition and strengthen its position as one of the sport’s leading nations.
According to the Daily Nation, about 200 nations and territories are expected to be represented, with more than 2,000 of the world’s top athletes set to converge on Nairobi during the championships.
Kenya has built an international reputation through its success in distance running, producing generations of world and Olympic champions across middle- and long-distance events.
President William Ruto welcomed the decision and pledged that Kenya would deliver what he described as an unforgettable championship.
The hosting rights also provide an opportunity for Kenya to demonstrate its capacity to organise a major international sporting event while exposing local fans to athletes from across the globe.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe was quoted in the publication as saying the World Athletics Championships should come to Africa, adding that Nairobi had demonstrated it had the right host and the necessary facilities.
Ethiopian athletics legend Haile Gebrselassie also welcomed the decision, expressing confidence that Nairobi would deliver an event capable of demonstrating Africa’s ability to stage a world-class championship.
For Kenyan athletes, the 2029 championships will offer the prospect of competing for medals on home soil, potentially giving local supporters an opportunity to watch some of the world's leading track and field stars in Nairobi.
The championship will also place attention on Kenya’s sporting infrastructure, hospitality industry and preparations in the years leading to the event, with expectations of significant international interest as the country prepares to welcome the athletics world.