Nairobi hosts the 'World Power Games' for the first time in Africa

Paris, AFP – The Kenyan capital, Nairobi, will host the 2029 World Athletics Outdoor Championships, marking the first time the event is held on the African continent, while the German city of Munich will host the 2031 edition, according to an announcement by World Athletics following its meeting in Budapest.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, a British national, said during a press conference: “We were fortunate to receive four excellent bid files for hosting the 2029 and 2031 editions (Nairobi, Munich, London, and Rome), and making the decision was not easy for the Council.”

He added: “The Council’s decision means that we will be able to hold World Athletics Championships in Asia (Beijing 2027), Africa, and Europe during the next three editions.”

The former Olympic champion continued: “Bringing our championship to Africa for the first time will be a historic event. Nairobi presented a compelling and influential bid. It was important for Africa to host the World Championships when the right host, the right bid, and the right conditions were in place.”

Kenya, which had previously failed to secure the right to host the 2025 World Athletics Championships, had earlier hosted the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, the 2017 World U18 Championships in Nairobi, and the 2021 World U20 Championships in the capital. Nairobi also hosted the 2010 African Championships in Athletics.