THE decision to award the 2029 World Athletics Championships to Nairobi has prompted an outpouring of celebration across Africa.
Ethiopian great Haile Gebrselassie, a two-time Olympic 10,000m champion, congratulated the whole continent on the “wonderful news” following the announcement by World Athletics on Tuesday morning.
The Kenyan capital saw off former Olympic Games hosts London and Rome to secure a slice of history, with the event set to be held in Africa for the first time.
Unsurprisingly, news that the globe’s top athletes will descend on the 48,000-capacity Kasarani Stadium in three years’ time has gone down well with some of East Africa’s biggest track and field stars.
Given the passionate following the sport has in Kenya, several commenters have stated that athletics will be “coming home”.
‘Huge for Africa’
Julius Yego, javelin world champion in 2015, said winning the bid is “a huge thing for Africa”.
“I’m so happy that the world will come to Kenya,” the 37-year-old told the BBC World Service.
“Africa has produced the best of athletes but we’ve never had a chance to witness such a big championship.
“It is something that will bring people to Africa. And people will know Africa.”
Kenyans are known for their love of athletics, with 68% of people from the country who were surveyed by World Athletics rating their interest in the sport as high.