Kenya to host 2029 World Athletics Championships

Kenya’s bid prevailed over London and Rome, while Munich was awarded the 2031 edition hosting rights.

Bonface Osano, Marabou News Agency

Kenya will become the first African country to host the World Athletics Championships after being awarded the 2029 edition of the global athletics showpiece.

The championships will be held in Nairobi, with the 48,000-capacity Kasarani Stadium serving as the main venue.

“As a government, we take this opportunity with a lot of responsibility and pride, that Kenya will not just host that championship, but it will be representing Africa,” Salim Mvurya, Kenya’s Sports minister reacted.

Kenya’s rich athletics heritage was central to its bid. The country has won 72 World Championships and 38 Olympic gold medals, predominantly in middle- and long-distance events.

Kenya’s bid prevailed over London and Rome, while Munich was awarded the 2031 edition hosting rights.

“It’s not a mean feat, and therefore, as Kenyans, we need to take this as a celebration. We need to take this as also a demonstration of the confidence the world has in our country,” Mvurya added.

The 2029 championships will be a major test and opportunity for Africa. It is expected to demonstrate the continent’s capacity to host the world’s biggest sporting events while showcasing its sporting heritage, infrastructure and organisational capabilities on the global stage.

Kenya is the second-most successful nation in World Athletics Championships history, after the United States of America (USA).

It previously hosted the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, while Nairobi staged the 2017 World Youth Championships and the 2021 World Athletics U20 Championships.

Marabou News Agency

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