The Kenyan city of Nairobi has been selected as the host city of the 2020 IAAF World Athletics Under 20 championships.

Nairobi’s candidacy was formally endorsed by the IAAF council in Buenos Aires today.

According to the IAAF, by hosting an outstanding final edition of the IAAF World under 18 championships last year, Nairobi demonstrated its readiness to take the next step as a championship host.

Crowds of up to 60,000 attended the under 18 championships at Nairobi’s MOI International Sports Centre, creating an exciting atmosphere for the young athletes who had gathered from around the globe, and those attending the 2020 event can expect the same experience.

IAAF president Sebastian Coe noted the Kenyan government’s strong support for the Nairobi bid and said, and said we would be an ideal host for the championships.