Kenya has formally submitted a bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, aiming to become the first African country to stage the sport’s premier global competition.
Nairobi is competing against bids from London, Rome and Munich, with World Athletics expected to announce the host city next month.
Athletics Kenya said the bid has the full backing of the Kenyan government and argued that the country has presented a strong case for bringing the championships to Africa for the first time.
The federation said the government had committed to providing the organisational structures, security arrangements and infrastructure required to stage the event.
Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, which can accommodate around 48,000 spectators, is expected to serve as the main venue if Kenya’s bid succeeds.
Kenya is one of the world’s most successful athletics nations, particularly in middle- and long-distance running. Kenyan athletes have won 72 World Championship gold medals and 38 Olympic golds.
Kenyan runners also currently hold 17 world records across track and road disciplines, including the men’s and women’s marathon records.
At the most recent World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Kenya finished second in the overall medal table after collecting 11 medals, including seven golds.
The country also has experience staging major international athletics competitions. Mombasa hosted the World Cross Country Championships in 2007, while Nairobi staged the World Under-18 Championships in 2017 and the World U20 Championships in 2021.
Nairobi also hosted the African Athletics Championships at Nyayo National Stadium in 2010.
Kenya previously made an unsuccessful bid to host the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Securing the 2029 event would therefore mark a major breakthrough for both Kenya and Africa, which has never hosted the senior outdoor World Championships.
The bid comes as Kenya seeks to expand its role as a host of major international sporting events. It is also due to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations with Tanzania and Uganda.
Earlier this year, Botswana became the first African country to stage the World Athletics Relays when the competition was held in Gaborone.