Nairobi is set to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships after a historic announcement by Coe on September 15th, handing Africa its first-ever senior global athletics showpiece.
The landmark decision was reached during the 242nd World Athletics Council meeting in Budapest, Hungary, where Nairobi emerged victorious ahead of compelling bids from Munich, Rome and London.
It marked the first time in history that the World Athletics Championships would be staged on African soil. Speaking on his first trip to Kenya to assess the situation, Coe outlined why the country was handed the rights for the Championships.
‘Nairobi has demonstrated readiness’
“I have made no secret of my strong ambition and commitment for the World Championships to be awarded to a city on the continent, but we needed the right host, the right bid, the right circumstances,” said Coe.
“Nairobi has demonstrated emphatically that this is their moment to supercharge the development of athletics in Kenya and across Africa - leaving a compelling legacy that inspires a continent.
“There are many factors determining a successful championship that Nairobi must deliver on and a major one is a full stadium.
“I call upon Kenya to uphold its stellar reputation for turning out in large numbers for our sport by having a sold-out stadium every night to create an electric atmosphere for our athletes.”
Coe described Kenya’s successful bid to host the World Athletics Championships as a significant opportunity not only for the country but also for Africa and the wider global athletics community.
On why Kenya won the bid, Coe said: “So, the contribution Kenya has made, and Africa has made, to World Athletics was also a compelling part of the bid and why the country won it.
“Kenya made a valiant attempt in 2025. It didn’t work out, but they went away and understood more about the challenge and brought back to World Athletics a very compelling bid, which our council approved and supported, and we were very happy to do so.”
President Ruto reassures Coe
Kenyan President William Ruto assured Coe and the global athletics fraternity that the East African nation was firmly on course to meet all infrastructure requirements and obligations necessary to deliver a successful 2029 World Athletics Championships at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The Head of State gave the assurance after meeting Coe, in their first high-level engagement since Kenya won the bid to host the global athletics showpiece in 2029.
Discussions between the two centred on Kenya’s preparations for the championships, with Ruto reaffirming the government’s commitment to delivering the infrastructure and facilities required to stage an event of such international magnitude.
“The Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, the venue of the 2029 World Athletics Championships, is undergoing major improvements ahead of AFCON 2027, which Kenya is co-hosting with our East African partner states, Uganda and Tanzania,” said Ruto.
Ruto added the ongoing modernisation works would be followed by further upgrades to ensure the facility meets World Athletics’ stipulated standards ahead of Nairobi 2029.
“Further upgrades will be done ahead of the 2029 event in fulfilment of our commitment and our obligations,” he said.
The meeting was also attended by Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, who reiterated the government’s determination to put in place a comprehensive roadmap to guide Kenya’s preparations for Nairobi 2029.
“The Government reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to putting in place a comprehensive roadmap, world-class infrastructure and a conducive environment to guarantee the successful hosting of the championships in 2029,” Mvurya said.
“Central to these preparations is the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which is currently undergoing extensive modernisation ahead of AFCON 2027, with further upgrades planned to meet the requirements of the World Athletics Championships.”
The historic first edition in Africa represents a major milestone in World Athletics' ambition to grow the sport globally, connect with new audiences and inspire future generations of athletes.
