World Athletics decision opens new door for Kenya
Athletics Kenya has been handed a fresh opportunity after World Athletics announced a major expansion of its global events calendar, creating new hosting and participation prospects for emerging athletics nations. The decision, confirmed this week, could see Kenya bid to stage a top-tier international competition in the coming years.
World Athletics said the move is aimed at spreading elite events beyond traditional venues and rewarding countries with strong grassroots systems. “We want to grow the sport by taking it closer to passionate fans,” the federation said in a statement.
Athletics Kenya welcomed the development, describing it as a timely chance to showcase the country’s organisational capacity. “This is an opening we must take seriously,” an AK official said. “Kenya has the athletes, the history and the audience.”
Former coach and analyst Bernard Ouma also backed the idea. “Hosting a global event would inspire the next generation,” he said. “It’s about legacy, not just medals.”
Kenya, which has won over 140 medals at World Championships and Olympics combined, has never hosted a major World Athletics event, but the latest announcement has renewed optimism that this could soon change.