Nairobi Selected to Host 2029 World Athletics Championships

Nairobi has been selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, marking the first time the event will be held in Africa. The decision was finalized during a World Athletics council meeting in Budapest, where Munich was simultaneously awarded the 2031 championships.

London’s bid, supported by £45 million in public funding, was unsuccessful despite the city’s previous experience hosting the event in 2017. Analysts suggest that late confirmation regarding venue availability at the London Stadium and recent attendance concerns at other domestic sporting events may have influenced the council's decision.

While the selection of Nairobi aligns with the organization's strategic of geographic expansion, the choice faces potential scrutiny due to historical doping controversies within Kenyan athletics. The outcome represents a setback for the United Kingdom’s broader strategy of securing major international sporting events, which includes ongoing efforts to host the 2040 Olympic Games.