African Greats Inspired By The Potential of Nairobi 2029

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 said.
“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.
Gebrselassie expects the atmosphere inside the Kasarani Stadium, which is undergoing redevelopment ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, to be “very different”.
“This is something very big in front of your people, in front of your city,” he said.
“Many spectators can fly to Nairobi, many people can watch their athletes.
“It’s going to be wonderful. I myself will be there to watch.
“Like in soccer, playing at home and then playing [away] is different. It’s a big chance for Kenyans, it’s a big chance for Ethiopians, in 2029, to win a race.”