Nairobi was announced as the host of the 2029 track and field world championships on Tuesday, the first time the event will be staged in Africa.
Munich was also revealed as the 2031 host, with World Athletics revealing both cities during a live presentation in Budapest, with president Sebastian Coe noting that the next three championships will touch three continents, with Asia being represented next year in Beijing.
“We were fortunate to have four outstanding bids for 2029 and 2031, and this was not an easy decision for the Council,” Coe said. “The quality, ambition and commitment demonstrated by all four candidates underlines the strength and global appeal of the World Athletics Championships.”
There were significant efforts among each of the hopefuls, with London and Rome also launching strong bids to serve as hosts. London’s bid, in particular, was a joint collaboration between UK Athletics, London Marathon Events and the Great Run Company. That submission was also backed by the British government along with a $13 million contribution from London mayor Sadiq Khan’s administration toward a $60 million bid package.
“With this Council decision today, we continue to fulfill our mission of growing athletics worldwide with the hosting of our World Athletics Championships in Asia, Africa and Europe over its next three editions,” Coe said in his remarks during the announcement.
Athletics Kenya formally announced its bid in August and was confident that it not only could meet World Athletics’ strict criteria, but would have the “necessary organizational framework, security measures and modern infrastructure required to host a world-class global showpiece,” as a renovated Kasarani Stadium will serve as the host venue.
“The submission places the Kenyan capital firmly in the running for the global selection process,” Athletics Kenya said in its statement at the time. “Kenya has put forward a robust, government-backed bid that is expected to serve as a strong, historic push for the African continent.”
Landing a world championship is also a major windfall for Kenya, which Coe noted has contributed significantly through the accomplishments of its athletes.
“Nairobi presented a compelling and emotional bid, and taking the World Athletics Championships to Africa for the first time will be historic,” Coe said. “Kenya is one of the great athletics nations. The sport is woven into the fabric of the country, and athletes such as world gold medalists Faith Kipyegon, Vivian Cheruiyot, Eliud Kipchoge, Hellen Obiri and David Rudisha, as well as two-time Olympic champion Kip Keino, multiple world cross-country champion Paul Tergat and multiple world half marathon champion Tegla Loroupe, have shaped the history of our sport.”
Meanwhile, Munich’s 2031 selection marks a return to the nation since the world championships were last held in Berlin in 2009.
“Germany has proved time and again that it is an outstanding and dependable host for major athletics events,” Coe said. “Berlin 2009 remains one of the memorable editions of the World Championships, and we have since seen tremendous support for the sport at the European Championships in Berlin and Munich.”
The nation has been somewhat overdue for the distinction of hosting another large-scale track and field event despite Berlin being the home of its own massive annual marathon major. The city hosted the European Championships in 2018, with Munich staging the event in 2022.
“We wholeheartedly believe in the vision for Munich Olympiapark – one of the iconic venues in world sport – to merge the German people’s enthusiasm for athletics with the special flair of an art and culture festival to create a unique and powerful overall experience,” Coe said. “The atmosphere in 2022 was exceptional and the attendance figures demonstrated the appetite that exists in the city and across Germany for major events.”
