The World Athletics Council announced on Tuesday that the 2029 World Athletics Championships will be held in Nairobi, Kenya. This marks the first time Africa will host the major athletics event, which is a significant milestone for the continent in international sports. The decision comes amid a growing trend of African countries hosting global sporting events, such as the World Cycling Championships in Rwanda in 2025 and the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal in 2026. President Sebastian Coe said that "Nairobi has demonstrated that it is now the right time." The council received four strong bids for the 2029 and 2031 championships, and the selection process was challenging. Munich has been chosen to host the 2031 World Championships, while London and Rome were not selected. Coe noted that "Nairobi and Munich presented two convincing proposals, offering very different but equally exciting opportunities for our sport." Nairobi has previously hosted major athletic events, including the World U18 Championships in 2018 and the World U20 Championships in 2021. The city had also submitted a bid for the 2025 World Championships, which were awarded to Tokyo. World Athletics stated that Nairobi has returned with an even stronger proposal for 2029. The timing is ideal, as the Kasarani Stadium is undergoing modernization in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027. Coe highlighted Kenya's rich athletic heritage, citing athletes such as Faith Kipyegon, Vivian Cheruiyot, Eliud Kipchoge, Hellen Obiri, and David Rudisha, as well as double Olympic champion Kip Keino, multiple cross-country world champions Paul Tergat, and multiple half-marathon world champions Tegla Loroupe. He emphasized that Nairobi has shown it is the right time for the World Athletics Championships to come to Africa.