For years, Kenyans have gone to different countries chasing medals on the biggest stages in athletics. The world is finally coming to them in 2029.
The announcement yesterday that Nairobi will host the 2029 World Athletics Championships has been met with excitement, with stars describing the breakthrough as a key moment for the country and Africa.
Triple Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon, double Olympic and world champion Beatrice Chebet and Ethiopia’s legend Haile Gebrselassie welcomed the decision, with Kenyan stars looking forward to competing before home crowds.
Ethiopia legendary athlete Haile Gebrselassie during an interview at Kerio View Hotel in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County on March 03, 2023.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
For Kipyegon, who made her World Championships debut in Moscow in 2013, the decision is an honour for Africa.
“Kenyan athletes are excited to welcome the world to our country and Africa,” she said.
Beyond the home advantage for established names, the star believes Nairobi 2029 could leave a legacy among young athletes who will get the opportunity to watch the world’s best compete at home.
“That is also an inspiration,” she said.
Chebet, who has established herself among the leading international stars in the 5,000m and 10,000m races, could not hide her excitement.
For her, the thought of lining up in a World Championships before Kenyan fans is an attraction.
“Imagine competing in front of cheering home crowds. The win for Nairobi will inspire upcoming athletes to work hard and represent the country in that event,” she said.
Gebrselassie also described Nairobi’s victory as a win for the continent, saying Africa’s athletics community would rally behind Kenya in 2029. The multiple Olympic and world champion told the Daily Nation from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, that his career took him to championships around the world but never to a global athletics event staged in Africa.
Ethiopia’s athletes have competed fiercely with Kenyans on the track. He said Ethiopia would support Kenya in delivering a memorable championships.
“Nairobi’s win is a win for us all, and we are truly excited. The world will descend on Nairobi, and we are going to support Kenya so that Africa delivers one of the best events,” he said.
Kenya occupies a special place in the history of athletics. The country stages three World Athletics Gold Label events – the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, the Great Chepsaita Cross Country and the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe during the pre-event press conference in Bathurst, Australia, on the eve of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships on February 17, 2023.
Photo credit: Courtesy of World Athletics
The 2029 championships will take that tradition to a different level. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said Nairobi presented a compelling bid and that Kenya’s place in the history of the sport makes it an appropriate host for the championships’ first African edition.
“Taking the World Athletics Championships to Africa will be historic. Kenya is one of the greatest athletics nations. The sport is woven into the fabric of the country,” Mr Coe said, citing Kenyan legends like Kipyegon, Vivian Cheruiyot, Eliud Kipchoge, Hellen Obiri, David Rudisha, Kipchoge Keino, Paul Tergat and Tegla Loroupe.
Former World Marathon Record Holder Eliud Kipchoge delivers his speech at the University of Nairobi on May 11, 2026, during the Africa Forward Summit 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
“It was important that the World Athletics Championships come to Africa when we had the right host, the right bid and the right circumstances. Nairobi has demonstrated that this is their moment.”
“I congratulate our bid team – Athletics Kenya; the Ministry of Sports, Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy; our athletes; and everyone who worked tirelessly to deliver this historic feat,” he said.
“We will honour that confidence by delivering an unforgettable championship worthy of our athletes, our country and our continent.”
