As glowing reactions continue trailing the award of hosting rights to Nairobi, Kenya, for the 2029 World Athletics Championships, a suggestion has come up that Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, could also one day get the nod for a similar feat.
Sports247 reports that this suggestion was posed by Ethiopian long-distance legend Haile Gebrselassie, who declared that the success story of Nairobi will rub off on other African cities, and the two-time Olympic Games 10,000m champion mentioned Lagos in his projection.
While hinting at the prospects for Lagos, Gebrselassie congratulated the whole continent, as the Kenyan capital saw off strong bids from London and Rome to secure its place in history, with the event set to be held in Africa for the first time.
Incidentally, Lagos and his country’s capital, Addis Ababa, are the only cities he mentioned specifically, while three others are alluded to under the general banner of their nations, as the former athlete looked into the future.
Gebrselassie added that he expects the atmosphere to be electric during the events inside Kasarani Stadium, which is already undergoing redevelopment ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, as Kenya also assured it will not be postponed.
The 53-year-old Gebrselassie noted, “This is a big chance, not only for sport, but in the economy, politics. If Nairobi can host this championship, why not Addis Ababa? Why not Lagos or South Africa, Uganda, Rwanda?
“This is something very big in front of your people, in front of your city. Many spectators can fly to Nairobi, and many people can watch their athletes. It’s going to be wonderful. I myself will be there to watch.”
