Kenya celebrates as athletics comes 'home'

The Kenyan capital beat hotly-tipped London as well as Rome and Munich, which was awarded the 2031 event by the sport's governing body World Athletics.

Kenyan officials said the decision to award the championships to the African continent for their first time in their 43-year history was recognition that the east African nation is one of the sport's powerhouses.

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) President Shadrack Maluki said it "reflects the country's rich athletics heritage (and the) exceptional talent and potential of Kenyan athletes".

Kenyan athletes were elated, with African 100 metres record holder Ferdinand Omanyala telling AFP it was "a dream come true".

"I've always wanted to compete against the best of the best at home. I run best at home, and I'm glad this will happen," Omanyala said.

"I need to do something big for the World Athletics Championships in 2029," said the 30-year-old.

"This will be good inspiration for sprinters and the next generation."

Paul Tergat, a former marathon world record holder, called it "truly momentous" and said Nairobi and Kenya "deserve this honour".

Welcoming the decision, announced in Budapest, Kenya Athletics president Jackson Tuwei said it was "an opportunity to bring the world’s greatest athletics championship to the home of so many champions".

He added: "Kenya is known around the world as the home of champions. Our athletes have inspired generations through their performances on the track, on the roads and across the country’s many running trails."

However, hosting the second-biggest track and field event outside of the Olympics will also shine a fierce spotlight on Kenya's deep problems with doping.

More than 140 Kenyan athletes, mainly long-distance runners, have been suspended for doping offences by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) since 2017.

Martin Sisa Nyauma, head of education and research at Kenya's anti-doping agency (ADAK) told AFP that by placing the world championships in the country, World Athletics had "shown the confidence they have in Kenya and appreciate the love they still have for the country despite our past record on doping".

"This shows that our work to have our athletes running clean in cooperation with the World Athletics Integrity Unit over the last three years is a success. We have seen fewer athletes being suspended than previously. This gives us hope that we're succeeding," he said.

Praise too came from Kenya's neighbours, with Ethiopian track and marathon legend Haile Gebrselassie saying on X he was "so proud" that Africa would finally have the chance to host the world championships.