Nairobi, Munich to host 2029, 2031 World Athletics Championships

BUDAPEST, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Nairobi and Munich will host the 2029 and 2031 World Athletics Championships respectively, with the Kenyan capital set to stage the event in Africa for the first time.

File photo: AFP

The World Athletics Council selected the two cities following its 242nd meeting on Monday and Tuesday. Nairobi was chosen for 2029 and Munich for 2031, while London and Rome missed out in the bidding process.

The 2031 championships will mark the third time Germany has hosted the event.

"We were fortunate to have four outstanding bids for 2029 and 2031, and this was not an easy decision for the Council," World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said.

"With this Council decision today, we continue to fulfil our mission of growing athletics worldwide with the hosting of our World Athletics Championships in Asia, Africa and Europe over its next three editions."

Beijing will host the championships in 2027, meaning the next three editions will take place on three different continents.

The 2027 championships will also mark the end of Coe's 12-year tenure as World Athletics president. Coe was first elected president in Beijing in 2015.

"Nairobi and Munich ultimately presented two compelling propositions," Coe said. "They offer very different but equally exciting opportunities for our sport, and I am delighted that we can now begin working with both cities to stage two world-class championships."