The upcoming World Athletics Championships will mark a historic first by moving to the African continent, with Kenya's capital, Nairobi, officially selected to stage the 2029 edition. This decision means that London, which had also put forward a strong proposal, will not be the host city for that year. Kenya has long been celebrated as a powerhouse in distance running, producing countless Olympic and world champions, yet it has never before hosted a competition of this magnitude. The 2029 championships will therefore represent a milestone for the nation and for African athletics as a whole.
After Nairobi, the next edition of the championships is slated to return to Europe, with Munich, Germany, set to welcome athletes in 2031. World Athletics president Sebastian Coe announced the outcome after the recent Ultimate Championship event in Hungary, noting the difficulty of the decision. "We received four excellent bids for the 2029 and 2031 events, and the council faced a very tough choice," Coe said. He praised the quality, ambition, and dedication shown by all applicants, emphasizing that they all underscored the global reach and appeal of the World Athletics Championships.
Jack Buckner, chief executive of UK Athletics and a co‑founder of Athletic Ventures, expressed deep disappointment on behalf of the British side. "We are very sorry that London will not host the 2029 Championships.
We believed our bid was outstanding and would have taken the sport to new heights," Buckner stated. He thanked the UK government, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London, UK Sport, the London Stadium, West Ham United, and numerous other stakeholders for their enthusiastic support and hard work in assembling the proposal. Buckner also highlighted the United Kingdom's proven track record of delivering major sporting events and the British public's passion for athletics.
"Athletic Ventures remains committed to bringing world‑class competitions to the UK. Although today's news is not in our favor, we will regroup, review our strategy, and continue to pursue opportunities that allow athletes to compete on British soil," he added.
He concluded by congratulating Nairobi and wishing the local organizing committee success in delivering a memorable championship in 2029. The selection of Nairobi is being hailed as a watershed moment for the sport, marking the first time the premier global athletics meet will be staged on African soil. Coe underscored the significance, saying, "Bringing the championships to Africa for the first time is historic.
Athletics is woven into the very fabric of Kenya." The decision comes after the experimental Ultimate Championship, which replaced traditional medals with sizable cash prizes and featured an invitation‑only roster of the sport's biggest names. That event, held in Budapest, was a three‑day showcase rather than the usual ten‑day format. The World Athletics Championships will revert to the classic ten‑day schedule next year in Beijing, offering a full complement of events—including the men's triple jump, shot put, race walks, and marathon—that were omitted from the Budapest program. Coe also reflected on Kenya's deep‑rooted connection to athletics, citing a lineage of legendary athletes who have shaped the sport's history.
He mentioned world gold‑medalists such as Faith Kipyegon, Vivian Cheruiyot, Eliud Kipchoge, Hellen Obiri, and David Rudisha, as well as icons like two‑time Olympic champion Kip Keino, multiple world cross‑country champion Paul Tergat, and half‑marathon star Tegla Loroupe. "Kenya is one of the great athletics nations. The sport is woven into the fabric of the country," Coe affirmed. The council’s rationale, according to Coe, hinged on the convergence of the right host city, a compelling bid, and favorable circumstances.
"Nairobi has demonstrated emphatically that this is their moment," he said, indicating that the city’s infrastructure, enthusiasm, and commitment convinced the decision‑makers that Africa was ready for the world’s biggest track and field gathering. Looking ahead, the 2029 Championships in Nairobi are expected to draw athletes from across the globe, competing in a full slate of track, field, and road events over ten days. Organizers anticipate that the event will not only showcase elite performances but also inspire a new generation of African athletes and fans, further cementing the continent’s growing influence in the sport. The move aligns with World Athletics’ broader strategy to diversify locations, promote inclusivity, and expand the sport’s reach beyond its traditional strongholds.
In summary, while London’s bid fell short, Nairobi’s selection signals a bold step forward for athletics, promising a vibrant, culturally rich edition of the championships that will celebrate both the sport’s heritage and its future on African soil.