Ruto, World Athletics Pledge Historic Nairobi 2029
According to a World Athletics press release, Nairobi is gearing up to host an unforgettable 2029 World Athletics Championships, marking the first time the event will be held in Africa. Both World Athletics President Sebastian Coe and Kenyan President William Ruto are united in their vision for a groundbreaking and inspiring Nairobi 2029 event that will leave a lasting legacy for athletics on the continent.
The Kenyan government has promised to fulfill all its commitments as preparations kick off, ensuring Nairobi is ready to welcome the world in 2029.
This historic championship aims to ignite passion among young athletes and create a powerful legacy for the sport throughout Africa.
World Athletics and Kenyan Presidents are united in their quest to see a successful Nairobi 2029
To kick off preparations for Nairobi 2029, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe visited President Ruto in Eldoret, the ‘City of Champions.’ Their meeting marks a significant milestone as Kenya readies itself to host the prestigious global event in 2029—the first time the World Athletics Championships will take place on African soil.
The meeting marked Coe’s first visit to Kenya since Nairobi was awarded the 2029 World Championships by the World Athletics Council in September.
During their discussions, Coe and Ruto emphasized the importance of government support across funding, anti-doping measures, and stadium upgrades. Both leaders are determined to make the Nairobi 2029 Championships a resounding success.
They also agreed that making the championships a national priority is crucial, pooling together expertise and resources to spotlight Kenya’s rich sporting heritage and inspire future generations.
Coe expressed his excitement after meeting President Ruto in Eldoret, praising Ruto’s personal investment in making the first World Championships in Africa a reality.
He highlighted that Nairobi’s successful bid is a testament to the city’s readiness and the continent’s growing influence in athletics. Coe hopes that the event will supercharge the sport’s development in Kenya and inspire the entire continent.
“There are many factors determining a successful championship that Nairobi must deliver on and a major one is a full stadium, and so I call upon Kenya to uphold its stellar reputation for turning out in large numbers for our sport by having a sold-out stadium every night to create an electric atmosphere for our athletes,” said Coe.
President Ruto welcomed the chance to further Kenya’s athletics legacy, pledging full government backing to ensure the event’s success.
“Kenya appreciates the support from friends that led to the winning of the bid for hosting the 2029 World Athletics Championships,” he said.
“Kenya has a long history and heritage in athletics; many of its athletes are also legends in the sport. I give my personal commitment and that of the Government of Kenya to deploy all resources possible to ensure that the World Athletics Championships 2029 in Nairobi will be a huge success.
“All of the required obligations will be met,” President Ruto added. “The Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, is already undergoing major improvements for AFCON 2027, and will be further improved for the World Athletics Championships 2029.”
During his visit, Coe was accompanied by World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon and met with key Kenyan sports officials, including Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei, and Bid Committee Chair Ibrahim Hussein.
Nairobi’s proven experience with international athletics, from hosting the World U18 and U20 Championships to the annual Kip Keino Classic, laid the foundation for its winning bid. The continually improving Kasarani Stadium will be the heart of the 2029 event.
Kenya’s storied history includes legendary Olympians and world champions like Kip Keino, David Rudisha, Faith Kipyegon, and Eliud Kipchoge, making it one of the sport’s most successful nations.
Kenya’s passion for athletics is unmatched, with research showing it’s the most engaged country worldwide. The upcoming championships are a prime opportunity to fuel this enthusiasm even further.
Nairobi’s turn in 2029 comes after Beijing (2027) and before Munich (2031), showcasing the event’s growing global reach across three continents in consecutive editions.
Bringing the World Athletics Championships to Africa for the first time is a landmark achievement, with the goal of connecting with new fans and inspiring generations of athletes to come.
