JAAA president welcomes first African World Champs

World Athletics yesterday announced that Nairobi, Kenya, will host the 2029 World Athletics Championships following a council meeting in Budapest, Hungary. The governing body also awarded Munich, Germany, the 2031 edition of the championships.

The Kenyan capital beat off competition from London, Rome, and Munich to secure hosting rights for the global showpiece.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe pointed to the historic significance of Nairobi being awarded the event.

“Nairobi presented a compelling and emotional bid, and taking the World Athletics Championships to Africa for the first time will be historic.”

Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) President Garth Gayle welcomed the announcement.

“The selection is a pleasing one and especially on the African continent,” he said.

Nairobi had previously failed in its bid to host the event in 2025, which was awarded to Tokyo.

The Kenyan city previously staged the World Under-18 Championships in 2017 and the World Under-20 Championships in 2021.

Given its experience in hosting those events, Gayle said he has high expectations for the Kenyan capital.

“I gather it was a lengthy and detailed review done by World Athletics. The World awaits a top-tier athletic competition.”

Events will be staged at Kasarani Stadium, which is being renovated ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile, Munich will host the 2031 edition of the World Athletics Championships at the Olympic Stadium, bringing the championships back to Germany for the first time since Berlin hosted the event in 2009.

Both championships will be held in September, in line with the 2027 edition in Beijing.