World Athletics President Sebastian Coe and Kenyan President William Ruto reaffirmed their commitment to successfully hosting the Nairobi 2029 World Athletics Championships. The competition will mark a historic milestone, as it will be the first edition of the sport’s premier championship to take place on African soil, in a country internationally recognized for its outstanding distance runners and deep-rooted connection to athletics.
The meeting took place in Eldoret, known as the City of Champions, during Coe’s first visit to Kenya since Nairobi was awarded hosting rights in September. Discussions addressed the government’s financial commitments, anti-doping measures and the infrastructure improvements required to welcome the world’s best athletes, with Kasarani Stadium serving as one of the main focuses of preparations.
Coe and Ruto strengthen commitments for Nairobi 2029
During the meeting, Coe praised Ruto’s personal commitment and highlighted the opportunity Nairobi represents to advance the development of athletics in Kenya and across the continent. The World Athletics president also emphasized the importance of ensuring strong public attendance throughout the championships, drawing on Kenyan fans’ well-known passion for the sport. For Coe, the atmosphere in the stands will be an important factor in supporting athletes and delivering an experience worthy of a world-class competition.
Ruto, for his part, pledged that his government would allocate the necessary resources to meet its organizational obligations and stated that the country was ready to take on the challenge. Priorities include the renovation of the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, whose facilities are already being upgraded ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and will continue to be improved for the World Athletics Championships. Representatives from sports and government institutions will also contribute to the process, focusing on infrastructure, funding and compliance with international standards, including anti-doping requirements.
Kenya aims to boost African athletics with a historic World Championships
Nairobi’s selection is supported by Kenya’s sporting achievements and its experience hosting international competitions. The country hosted the World Athletics U18 Championships in 2017 and the World Athletics U20 Championships in 2021, and it also stages the annual Kip Keino Classic. These events strengthen its bid and demonstrate the ability of its institutions to host major competitions. Kenya’s athletics tradition is also represented by figures such as Kip Keino, David Rudisha, Faith Kipyegon and Eliud Kipchoge, whose Olympic and world championship achievements have helped establish the country’s international reputation.
The championships also aim to leave a lasting legacy for future generations by bringing athletics closer to young people across Africa. A World Athletics study identifies Kenya as the market with the highest participation in athletics worldwide, highlighting the potential of its fan base to fill stadiums and connect with new audiences. The 2029 edition will take place between the World Championships in Beijing in 2027 and Munich in 2031, bringing the competition to three continents across three consecutive editions. For World Athletics, bringing the event to Africa represents an opportunity to expand the sport’s global reach and strengthen its development in regions with a deep-rooted sporting tradition.
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