President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), Garth Gayle, says he has received no official confirmation regarding reports that four of Jamaica’s standout athletes have switched national allegiance to Turkey.

Olympic discus gold medallist Roja Stona, shot put bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell, long jump silver medallist Wayne Pinnock, and triple jump sensation Jaydon Hibbert are reportedly in the process of transferring their eligibility to represent Turkey on the international stage.

“I await documents to confirm this,” Gayle said in a brief statement.

Three of the athletes – Pinnock, Campbell, and Hibbert, are alumni of Kingston College, while Stona represented St Jago High School.

Under World Athletics rules, athletes switching allegiance are typically required to sit out for three years. However, if the home federation does not object, the waiting period may be reduced to one year.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the athletes could receive financial packages from Turkey, reportedly worth up to US$1.5 million, including monthly stipends and performance incentives.

This would not mark the first time Jamaican athletes have opted to compete under a different flag. Sprint legend Merlene Ottey represented Slovenia in 2002. High jumper Germaine Mason won silver for Great Britain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics after switching in 2006. Others who made similar moves include Brandon Simpson, Andrew Fisher, Kamarley Brown, and Jacques Harvey, who became Jak Ali Harvey upon representing Turkey.

In a 2023 interview, Campbell voiced frustration with the lack of recognition and support in Jamaica. “Jamaica has such a rich history in track and field that we are not appreciated,” he said.

Former JAAA president Dr. Warren Blake previously expressed understanding for such moves, stating, “I will not stand in their way… other professionals leave Jamaica too.”

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