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Kenya has won the right to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, becoming the first African host.
According to AFP, World Athletics announced the decision on Tuesday after a council meeting in Budapest, Hungary.
Nairobi beat bids from London, Munich and Rome to secure the 2029 championships.
Munich will host the 2031 edition, while Beijing will stage the 2027 championships.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said in a press conference that the decision followed a strong bidding process.
“We were fortunate to have four outstanding bids for 2029 and 2031, and this was not an easy decision for the Council,” Coe said.
He said the next three championships would take place across Asia, Africa and Europe.
“Taking our championships to Africa for the first time will be historic. Nairobi has presented a compelling and an emotional bid,” Coe said.
Coe added that Nairobi had the right host, bid and conditions to stage the event.
“Nairobi has demonstrated emphatically that this is their moment to supercharge the development of our sport in Kenya and across Africa,” he said.
Kenya previously failed its secure the bid to host the 2025 World Championships.
However, Nairobi has hosted several major athletics events.
These include the 2017 World Under-18 Championships and the 2021 World Under-20 Championships.
Mombasa also hosted the 2007 World Cross Country Championships, while Nairobi staged the 2010 African Athletics Championships.
Coe said Nairobi’s latest bid was stronger because the team had learned from its previous attempt.
He also praised the renovation of Kasarani Stadium, which is undergoing a major upgrade before the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
“Having also been part of the bidding process for 2025, the team understood and grasped what was required, and came back with a stronger proposition,” Coe said.
The 2029 championships will mark the first time Africa hosts the World Athletics Championships.
