ATHLETICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE HELD IN AFRICA FOR FIRST TIME

BUDAPEST, SEPTEMBER 15 /SRNA/ - The World Athletics Championships will be held in Africa for the first time, after the Kenyan capital Nairobi was confirmed as the host of the 2029 championships.

The AP news agency notes that Kenya has long been a powerhouse in long-distance running and ranks second in the number of medals won at the world level, behind only the United States. After Nairobi, the championships will move to Germany in 2031, when Munich will host the event.

"Hosting the championships in Africa for the first time will be historic. Athletics is woven into the fabric of Kenya," World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said.

Kenyan official Salim Mvurya said that "the world will come to a country where running is more than a competition, where it is a national story".

Nairobi beat London and Rome in the bid to host the athletics championships.