Pauline Shegu backs Kenya's bid for 2029 World Athletics Championships

Motorsports figure Pauline Shegu believes that hosting the 2029 World Athletics Championships would serve as a transformative milestone for Kenya. Her comments follow the official submission of Kenya's bid to host the global competition.

Shegu noted that staging the event would benefit multiple sectors of Kenyan society for many generations. She suggested that hosting the championships would be a significant moment for both Kenya and the African continent. She argued that the world should experience athletics in Africa, given the continent's history of producing legendary athletes.

If the bid is successful, it would mark the first time the championships are held in Nairobi and on African soil. Shegu praised Athletics Kenya for taking the initiative to bid, stating that the move demonstrates the country's increasing ability to manage international sporting events. She cited Kenya's sporting infrastructure, cultural heritage, hospitality, and landscapes as key assets for a successful event.

Shegu also highlighted Kenya's status as a primary hub for middle and long-distance running. She observed that the nation's identity is closely tied to athletics through the consistent excellence of its champions.

Kenya previously attempted to host the 2025 edition of the championships but lost the hosting rights to Tokyo. For the 2029 edition, Nairobi is competing against London, Munich, and Rome. World Athletics is expected to announce the host cities for both the 2029 and 2031 championships following the Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hungary, next month.