Eliud Kipchoge Urges World Athletics to Bring 2029 World Championships to Nairobi
Eliud Kipchoge
Kenyan distance running icon Eliud Kipchoge has issued a passionate appeal to the global athletics fraternity to award Nairobi the 2029 World Championships, describing it as the perfect way to honour a nation that has shaped the sport for more than four decades.
The legendary marathoner believes the global track and field community owes a debt of gratitude to the East African nation for its decades of dominance and unwavering dedication to the sport. Kenya has consistently produced generational talents who have rewritten record books, yet the continent of Africa has never hosted the sport’s showpiece outdoor event.
Speaking during a virtual media briefing attended by leading track and field journalists from around the world, the two-time Olympic marathon champion said Kenya’s unrivalled success on the global stage had earned it the right to host the prestigious championships for the first time.
The veteran runner, who has spent over twenty years at the pinnacle of elite athletics, spoke with visible emotion about what this milestone would mean for the continent.
A dynamic intersection of nostalgia and forward-looking ambition anchors the campaign to secure the global showpiece. Kipchoge, 41, who won his first world title in the 5,000m at the 2003 World Championships, said awarding Nairobi the 2029 edition would not only recognise Kenya’s immense contribution to athletics but also mark a historic breakthrough for Africa.
”I’m telling the world to give us the chance. Giving Kenya the chance is giving back to the sport. Kenya has been winning all the medals and breaking all the world records, winning the Diamond Leagues… winning everything,” Kipchoge said as per Athletics Kenya.
”The only gift that the world can give Kenya is to accept and give us the chance to host the World Championships in 2029. It will be a huge moment for Kenya and for Africa.”
Four Decades of Dominance Deserve Grandest Stage
The justification for Nairobi’s bid extends far beyond mere sentimentality, resting firmly on a sporting legacy built over half a century. The former world marathon record holder, who became the first man to run a marathon in under two hours in 2019, (although unofficial) insisted Kenya’s dominance over the past 40 years deserved recognition beyond medals.
Generations of Kenyan runners have brought global audiences to their feet, creating unforgettable moments in Olympic and World Championship history.
Global running fans have long associated Kenyan athletes with the gold standard of endurance, grit, and humility. The legendary runner pointed out that hosting the event would inspire millions of youngsters across the African continent who dream of running but rarely get to see their heroes compete live on home soil.
Financial and logistical rewards would also trickle down to local communities, uplifting the entire sporting ecosystem from grassroots training camps to regional coaches.
”Kenya has been in the limelight in track and field for the last 40 years. It’s time the world said, ‘Let’s give this beautiful country and this young continent the opportunity to host the World Championships.’ That is the greatest gift the world can give Africa, and above all Kenya,” he added.
High Stakes Battle and Africa’s Proven Hosting Capability
Nairobi remains one of the leading contenders to host the 2029 World Championships, with World Athletics expected to announce the successful bid next month during the Ultimate Championships in Budapest. The decision carries immense weight for the future distribution of major sporting events globally. Competition remains fierce, ensuring that the final weeks of lobbying will be critical for the Kenyan delegation.
London, which staged the championships in 2017, is also among the bidders. The British capital offers formidable infrastructure and a proven track record, making the race a true David-and-Goliath battle between an established European sporting hub and an ambitious African capital hungry to make history. Kenya, however, possesses an emotional and narrative edge that resonates deeply with the core values of international sports development.
No African nation has ever hosted the senior World Championships, although Kenya has successfully delivered several major events under the World Athletics Series, including the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa, the World Under-18 Championships in 2017 and the World Under-20 Championships in 2021. All age-group championships were staged at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, the proposed venue for the 2029 event.
State Backing and the Next Chapter of Eliud’s Journey
The Government has also thrown its weight behind the bid. Top state officials have ramped up diplomatic and financial commitments to ensure the country meets the stringent requirements set by the world governing body. A successful bid requires seamless coordination between security agencies, the transport sector, hotel industries, and athletic federations.
On Thursday, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya and Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi met Jackson Tuwei and Nairobi Bid Committee chairman Ibrahim Hussein to review the progress of Kenya’s campaign. The high-level meeting underscored the government’s resolve to deliver an unforgettable experience for international athletes and visitors alike.
”Hosting the 2029 World Athletics Championships will be a historic milestone for Africa, showcasing Kenya’s rich athletics heritage while boosting tourism, attracting investment and elevating the country’s global sporting profile,” said Mvurya.
”The Government remains fully committed to supporting the bid as we work towards bringing the 2029 World Athletics Championships to Kenya.”
Meanwhile, Kipchoge continues his Eliud’s Running World project, which aims to complete a marathon on every continent while inspiring communities through running. The global ambassador remains busy on the roads even as he champions the corporate interests of Kenyan athletics.
Next weekend Kipchoge heads to Brazil to compete in the NB42K Porto Alegre Marathon as the second stop of his global initiative, Eliud’s Running World. After launching the initiative in Cape Town, he now heads to Brazil to compete in the NB42K Porto Alegre marathon as the second stop in his global initiative. He will be joined by his wife, Grace Sugut, who is set to run her second marathon after making her debut in Cape Town earlier this year.
