Botswana to host World Athletics Relays next year
This is the fourth World Championship event Africa has staged over the last decade
Botswana is set to become the first African country to host the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone next year according to a dispatch coming in from World Athletics.
“I am delighted that Botswana’s commitment to athletics, both through their elite athletes and their event hosting capabilities, has led them to hosting the World Athletics Relays next year,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
“This is the fourth World Championship event Africa has staged over the last decade, in addition to the Diamond League and Continental Tour Gold events, and we are seeing a real increase in experience, expertise and skills.”
“We are determined to support Member Federations in their ambitions to grow through hosting our events. Both The Bahamas and Brazil have hosted events in the past and their talented athletes will, I know, generate local and international excitement.”
The World Athletics Relays in Gaborone will see Botswana host a World Athletics Series event for the first time. The country’s capital city held a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting for the first time in 2023 and this year’s Botswana Golden Grand Prix, taking place in Gaborone on 12 April, will also be a Gold-level meeting.
Jacob Kelebeng, Minister of Sport and Arts, said: “This is a moment of immense pride for Botswana. The World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 will ignite a national passion, drawing the world to our shores and showcasing our unique spirit. We humbly welcome athletes and fans alike, knowing that this event will inspire generations and leave a lasting legacy of triumph and unity.”
The World Athletics Council also confirmed the hosts for three World Athletics Series events and made a series of other decisions during the 237th World Athletics Council Meeting in Nanjing, China, on 24-25 March.
The World Athletics Council will be held on 2-3 May 2026 while the 2028 World Athletics Relays have been awarded to Nassau in The Bahamas (22-23 April 2028). The 2026 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships will be staged in Brasília in Brazil (12 April 2026).
The Council agreed to explore the creation of a dedicated coaching body reporting to Council to promote coach representation, drive forward coaching specific projects, and align coaching priorities and interests to decisions made across the organization. A proposal on the format and terms of reference for the new body will be developed and brought back to the Council as a priority.
