World Athletics panel refuses Olympic medalists' requests to switch to Turkiye

Eleven track and field athletes, including five Olympic medalists, had applications to switch their nationalities to Turkiye refused by a World Athletics panel. The following athletes were denied requests to transfer their allegiances: Catherine Relin (Selin Can) Amanang’ole (Kenya) Rajindra Campbell (Jamaica) — 2024 Olympic shot put bronze medalist Jaydon Hibbert (Jamaica) Brian Kibor (Kenya) Brigid Kosgei (Kenya) — 2020 Olympic marathon silver medalist Ronald Kwemoi (Kenya) — 2024 Olympic 5000m silver medalist Nelvin (Can) Jepkemboi (Kenya) Favour Ofili (Nigeria) Wayne Pinnock (Jamaica) — 2024 Olympic long jump silver medalist Roje Stona (Jamaica) — 2024 Olympic discus gold medalist Sophia Yakushina (Russia) The panel said that approving the applications would "impinge upon and compromise the imperatives underlying the World Athletics eligibility rules and transfer of allegiance regulations. " "The panel found that the applications formed part of a coordinated recruitment strategy led by the Türkiye government acting through a wholly‑owned and financed government club, to attract overseas athletes through lucrative contracts, with the aim of facilitating transfers of allegiance and enabling those athletes to represent Türkiye at future international competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games," according to a press release .

"Given the common features across the applications, the panel assessed them together and determined that such an approach is inconsistent with the core principles of the regulations. These principles are designed to safeguard the credibility of international competition, encourage Member Federations to invest in the development of domestic talent and maintain confidence among athletes that national teams are not primarily assembled through external recruitment. " It was reported last June that Jamaica's top field athletes sought to switch to Turkiye, citing greater financial support offered by the European nation.

Jamaica, typically a sprint power, won four of its six 2024 Olympic medals in field events, led by Stona's discus gold, the first gold medal for a Jamaican outside of the 26 previous won in sprints and relays. None of Campbell, Pinnock and Stona competed at last September's World Championships. Ryan Crouser, best shot putter in history, does more coaching than being coached Ryan Crouser is an Olympic and world champion, world record holder ...

and coach. Nick Zaccardi ,