Nairobi to Host 2020 IAAF Under 20 World Championship

Kenya's capital city has been selected to host the next Under 20, International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Championship.

Nairobi hosted the Under 18 tournament in 2017, which the IAAF's governing body called "outstanding." The tournament drew crowds of up to 60,000 people, the IAAF reports. The decision highlights Kenya's contribution to the sports world and its continuous influence as a center for athletics on the African continent.

"The Under-20 championships showcase the future of our sport, so Kenya, with a young and enthusiastic population and such a rich history in athletics, is a perfect fit for us," said IAAF President Sebastian Coe in a press release from the organization.

Nairobi is a fitting place to for some of the world's most talented young athletes to gather, as sports has played a central role in the growth and development of many young Kenyans.

But, the country still has it's eyes on a bigger prize: it hopes to be able to host the main IAAF tournament in the future. The overall tournament is yet to be held in an African nation.