The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) says it has not received any official requests for the transfer of allegiance for any Jamaican athletes, despite a wave of media reports suggesting that several of the country’s top track and field stars are preparing to compete for Türkiye at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
In a statement over JAAA President Garth Gayle's signature issued Friday, the federation responded to the growing speculation, stating:
“The transfer of allegiance of athletes is a process that involves the requisite national federations and requires the approval of World Athletics.
The JAAA wishes to inform the public that, to date, it has neither been notified nor received a request for the transfer of allegiance of any of our Jamaican athletes, whether those mentioned in the referenced media reports or any others.”
The clarification follows a report aired by Television Jamaica on Thursday night, in which a Turkish consultant confirmed that national throwers Roje Stona and Rajindra Campbell have already begun the process of transferring allegiance. The consultant also revealed that world-leading triple jumper Jaydon Hibbert is expected to receive his Turkish passport in the coming weeks.
Later Thursday, additional reports surfaced indicating that long jumper Wayne Pinnock, the 2023 World Championship and 2024 Paris Olympics silver medallist, has also signed on to join the growing list of Jamaican athletes reportedly bound for Türkiye.
All four athletes are said to be part of a broader initiative driven by Turkish sporting authorities and facilitated by a prominent American sports agent. According to sources, each athlete is set to receive a minimum of US$500,000, along with generous monthly stipends and six-figure bonuses for medals earned at global championships. Reports further suggest that the athletes have agreed to eight-year contracts, effectively committing to Türkiye through the 2032 Olympic cycle.
While the JAAA has confirmed no formal communication on the matter, it emphasized that it will be guided by the World Athletics Transfer of Allegiance Regulations, which govern such changes.
The reported moves have triggered passionate debate within Jamaica’s track and field community. While some fans view the developments as a betrayal of national pride, others see it as a strategic and financially prudent decision for athletes whose earning potential can be short-lived due to injuries or lack of sponsorship.
Even with reported contracts signed and travel documentation in progress, none of the athletes can officially represent another nation until World Athletics ratifies the transfers—a process that includes a waiting period of up to three years unless otherwise waived.
Should the transfers be completed, the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles would mark their first global championship appearances as representatives of Türkiye.