Coe aims for African ‘legacy’ with 2029 World Championships

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has expressed his desire to stage the 2029 World Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, as he believes it will create a lasting "legacy" for the continent. Nairobi was recently awarded the hosting rights ahead of London and Rome, following Kenya's unsuccessful bid for the 2025 edition. Coe emphasized the importance of building a new facility and fostering human capital in Africa, stating that it would be a significant achievement for World Athletics.

The 2029 World Championships will coincide with Kenya co-hosting the Africa Cup of Nations with Tanzania and Uganda in 2027. The Kasarani Stadium, which is undergoing renovations, will host both events. Coe visited Kenya recently and met with President William Ruto, acknowledging that substantial preparations are needed to welcome the world's top athletes.

Coe highlighted the World Championships' significance to World Athletics, accounting for over 90% of the organization's revenues. These funds are essential for developing programs, introducing new competition formats, and supporting member federations. He stressed that the 2029 World Championships would require extensive operational integration to ensure the best possible environment for athletes and fans.

However, Coe also acknowledged Kenya's ongoing challenges with doping. Since 2017, more than 140 of its athletes, primarily distance runners, have been suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit, an independent body established by Coe during his first term as World Athletics president. World Anti-Doping Agency President Witold Banka recently urged Kenya to demonstrate its commitment to clean athletics to maintain its credibility ahead of the World Championships.

Coe expressed confidence in Kenya's progress, stating that the government's increased funding for anti-doping programs has begun to yield results. He emphasized that more stringent testing and advanced technology would likely lead to a reduction in doping cases over time.