NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has hailed Kenya’s successful bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, describing the decision as a historic moment for the country and the African continent.
Ruto said Kenya had secured the right to stage the premier global athletics competition, making the country the first African nation to host the senior World Athletics Championships.
“The World Athletics Championships are coming home!” Ruto said in a post on Tuesday, September 15.
World Athletics announced Nairobi as the 2029 host following a Council meeting in Budapest, beating competing bids from London, Rome and Munich. Munich was selected to host the 2031 edition.
Ruto: This is Kenya’s moment
The President described the hosting rights as a defining moment for Kenya and African athletics.
“This is Kenya’s moment, Africa’s moment and a victory for generations of athletes who made our nation synonymous with excellence on the track, on the road and cross country,” he said.
Ruto said the championship would provide an opportunity to celebrate Kenya’s long-standing athletics tradition while bringing the continent into the spotlight at the sport’s highest level.
President congratulates bid team
Ruto congratulated the team involved in securing the hosting rights, including Athletics Kenya, the Ministry of Sports, Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy, Kenyan athletes and other officials involved in the bid.
“I congratulate our bid team, Athletics Kenya, the Ministry of Sports, Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy, our athletes and everyone who worked tirelessly to deliver this historic feat,” he said.
Kenya had mounted a renewed campaign to host the championships after previously seeking the 2025 edition. Nairobi’s bid was backed by its history of staging major athletics events, including the 2017 World Under-18 Championships and the 2021 World Under-20 Championships.
Kenya thanks World Athletics
Ruto also thanked World Athletics for selecting Kenya, promising that the country would deliver a championship befitting its athletics heritage.
“We thank World Athletics for the confidence it has placed in Kenya. We will honour that confidence by delivering an unforgettable championship worthy of our athletes, our country and our continent,” he said.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe previously described Nairobi and Munich as compelling bids, saying the two cities offered different opportunities for the sport.
Nairobi to stage championships in 2029
The 2029 championships will be staged in Nairobi, marking the first time the senior World Athletics Championships will be held in Africa.
The event is expected to be centred on the renovated Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, which is currently undergoing upgrades.
Kenya is also undertaking major sports infrastructure projects, including the Talanta Sports City development and rehabilitation of Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadiums.
Historic milestone for African athletics
The award represents a major milestone for African athletics, with Kenya’s global reputation in track and field playing a central role in its successful bid.
The championships will follow the 2027 edition in Beijing before moving to Nairobi in 2029 and Munich in 2031.
For Kenya, the event will provide an opportunity to showcase its athletes, sports infrastructure and organisational capacity while bringing the world’s leading track and field competitors to the continent for the first time.
