Nairobi has been selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, marking the first time the event will take place on the African continent. The announcement was made during a press conference in Budapest by Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, with Munich awarded the 2031 championships. This decision puts Nairobi ahead of London, which had been widely regarded as a frontrunner for the 2029 event.
The Nairobi bid was supported by the Kenyan government, which committed $5 million annually toward anti-doping efforts. World Athletics emphasized that this commitment factored into the decision, citing progress in Kenya’s fight against doping since the establishment of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) in 2017. A World Athletics spokesperson stated that hosting the championships in Nairobi would serve as a catalyst to enhance anti-doping compliance and promote clean sport within the nation.
Kenya’s history with doping, however, has raised concerns. Since 2017, at least 318 Kenyan athletes have been sanctioned for anti-doping rule violations, with 136 currently serving bans. High-profile cases include Olympic and world champions. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) only recently removed Kenya’s anti-doping agency from non-compliance status in March 2026, following increased governmental investments totaling $25 million over five years in anti-doping initiatives. Critics argue that awarding the championships to Kenya so soon risks exacerbating integrity challenges rather than allowing more time for the nation to rebuild trust in its athletics program.
London’s bid was backed by a £45 million investment from the UK government and the city’s mayor’s office. The London team expressed deep disappointment, believing their proposal, which promised large crowds and a strong commercial performance, was compelling. London’s bid faced uncertainties including a late agreement with West Ham United over stadium access and questions raised by attendance figures at recent athletics events, though supporters maintain these factors were not decisive. The city hosted a successful World Championships in 2017 and had expected strong support for a return in 2029.
Coe acknowledged the historic significance of Nairobi hosting but said the decision was based on multiple criteria, including budget, government guarantees, potential for global growth, and detailed analysis. He underscored the importance of spreading the championships across different continents to grow the sport’s global footprint. The 2023 event was held in Budapest (Europe), 2025 and 2027 in Asia, with Nairobi marking Africa’s inaugural host city, followed by Munich returning the event to Europe in 2031.
Some observers criticized that Europe—the traditional stronghold for track and field audience engagement—would host only one championships between 2017 and 2031, but World Athletics officials maintained the move aligns with a broader strategy to globalize the sport beyond its European base.
The decision has prompted mixed reactions within the athletics community, highlighting the tension between promoting global diversity in hosting major events and addressing ongoing challenges related to doping and governance in certain regions.