London loses bid to host 2029 World Athletics as Nairobi named host

London has missed out to Nairobi in the bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships.

The decision was confirmed at a World Athletics council meeting in Budapest, and it will be the first time that an African city has hosted the event.

"We were fortunate to have four outstanding bids for 2029 and 2031, and this was not an easy decision for the council," said World Athletics president Sebastian Coe.

"With this decision today, we continue to fulfil our mission of growing athletics worldwide with the hosting of our World Athletics Championships in Asia, Africa and Europe over its next three editions.

"Nairobi and Munich ultimately presented two compelling propositions. They offer very different but equally exciting opportunities for our sport, and I am delighted that we can now begin working with both cities to stage two world-class championships."

The London Stadium, home of Championship club West Ham United, was the proposed host venue.

The stadium was also used for the 2012 Olympic Games and the yearly London Diamond League, and also when the city last hosted the Worlds in 2017.

Rome was the other city to miss out, as World Athletics also confirmed that Munich would host the 2031 event, which will be the third time it has been held at the German city's Olympic stadium.