General view of the London Stadium athletics track. Image accompanying BBC Sport Athletics’ report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
Nairobi has been selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, marking the first time an African city will host the event. The decision was made by World Athletics council in Budapest. London's bid, supported by £45m in public funds, was unsuccessful despite hosting the event in 2017.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe praised Nairobi's bid as 'compelling and emotional'. The decision continues the organization's mission to grow athletics globally. Nairobi's bid was strengthened by the renovation of Kasarani Stadium for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Read more racing coverage.
London's bid faced challenges, including uncertainty over stadium access and high ticket prices affecting attendance. Despite the disappointment, athletes like Amber Anning and Greg Rutherford expressed excitement for the event's new location, highlighting its potential to inspire future generations. Related: Nairobi to Host 2029 World Athletics Championships.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from BBC Sport Athletics. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
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What should runners know about Nairobi to host 2029 World Athletics Championships?
Nairobi wins bid over London, marking first African host city Nairobi has been selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, marking the first time an African city will host the event. The decision was made by World Athletics council in Budapest. London's bid, supported by £45m in public funds, was unsuccessful despite hosting the event in 2017.
When did Runner World publish this racing brief?
Runner World published this brief on September 15, 2026. The underlying BBC Sport Athletics report was dated September 15, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from BBC Sport Athletics. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
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