World Athletics Championships: Rome and London defeated by Nairobi and Munich

Rome – The dream of holding the World Athletics Championships in the capital in 2029 or 2031 has faded. Rome and London have been beaten by Nairobi and Munich.

The decision, made at the 242nd World Athletics Council meeting in Budapest, established that the 2029 World Athletics Championships will be held in Africa for the first time when the Kenyan capital hosts the event; two years later, the event will return to Germany for the third time, this time to Munich's iconic Olympic Stadium.

“We were fortunate to receive four excellent bids for 2029 and 2031; this was not an easy decision for the Council,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. “The quality, ambition, and commitment demonstrated by all four candidates underscores the strength and global appeal of the World Athletics Championships. With today's Council decision, we continue our mission to grow athletics worldwide by bringing the World Championships to Asia, Africa, and Europe for the next three editions,” Coe explained.

"Nairobi and Monaco have ultimately presented two extremely compelling proposals. They offer very different but equally exciting opportunities for our sport, and I am delighted that we can begin working with both cities to host two world-class championships," the president concluded.