Nairobi chosen to host 2029 World Athletics Championships, London bid fails
World Athletics announced that Nairobi will host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, the first time the event will be held on African soil. The decision was taken at the 242nd World Athletics Council meeting in Budapest, with Munich awarded the 2031 edition and Beijing slated for 2027. London, Rome and Munich had also been candidates for the 2029 slot; London’s proposal involved an agreement with West Ham over the London Stadium and a promised public investment.
A UK Athletics official described the result as deeply disappointing and said the organization will review its strategy. The selection shifts a major global athletics competition to Africa, affecting sport development and tourism.
How this was covered
- Left-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
- Coverage peaked at 10 outlets in a single hour
Why it matters
Hosting the championships in Africa changes the sport’s global footprint and creates new opportunities for development and tourism.
How this story developed
- Sep 15 World Athletics selects Nairobi to host the 2029 World Track and Field Championships
- Sep 16 Nairobi was awarded the 2029 World Athletics Championships, while London’s bid was not successful.
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