London misses out to Nairobi in World Athletics bid

London has been outcompeted by Nairobi in the bid for the 2029 World Athletics Championships. The World Athletics council's decision was made at a meeting in Budapest, marking the first time an African city will host the event. Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, praised Nairobi for presenting an "emotional bid" and noted that this decision solidifies the organization's mission to expand athletics globally across Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Nairobi's Kasarani Stadium, currently under renovation due to preparations for the 2027 African Cup of Nations, was seen as a strong venue for the championship. Despite securing £45m in public funding, the London bid faced challenges related to West Ham's permission to use their stadium and potential fan dissatisfaction due to high ticket prices.

However, the issue of doping scandals within Kenyan athletics may also have influenced the council's decision. The loss is a significant setback for London, especially as the city has recently hosted high-profile events such as the 2017 World Championships and the 2012 Olympic Games.