Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) President Garth Gayle has placed blame for the recent wave of athlete defections to Turkey on agents and coaches, stating that the individuals entrusted with managing Jamaican athletes’ careers are playing a central role in steering them away from the black, green and gold.

Speaking during Monday’s press conference at the JAAA headquarters, Gayle addressed the unexpected decision by four of Jamaica’s top field event athletes to transfer allegiance to Turkey, offering insight into what he believes is influencing their actions.

“I continue — we continue — to manage these affairs of track and field very open, transparent. I would have known most of these athletes from junior level, and have an excellent rapport with many of them,” Gayle said.

He said the JAAA had not been officially contacted by any of the athletes or their representatives prior to the decisions being made and acknowledged the disappointment felt within the organization and the wider track and field community.

“I can’t at this moment give a reason why it is that the four in question would have acted the way they have acted,” Gayle said. “Suffice to say, our sport is being handcuffed by a particular group of stakeholders, and that is a question maybe that could be asked of that group of stakeholders who would have been in clear dialogue with these athletes — why they would have chose the route they have chosen.”

Gayle then pointed specifically to those guiding the athletes behind the scenes.

“Because I guarantee you, Sir, and every member here in this room — from my right to my left — to an Olympian and world champion, first open world champion Bertland Cameron, to the lady who sits beside me, who just recently returned from the Olympics… every one of us have excellent rapport with these athletes.

However, there is a specific group that manage these athletes, and the question I will answer may be best posed to them: agents and coaches.”

While not dismissing the right of athletes to make decisions in their own best interest, Gayle warned that the increasing influence of third parties, coupled with large financial offers from other countries, is shifting the sport in troubling directions.

“The athletes have a right to decide which direction they go. They have to look and ask what they think is in their best interest. So one should not necessarily be upset with the athletes based on the nature of the sport. One injury and it can be over pretty quickly.

But we must ask — who is whispering in their ears?”

Gayle ended by reaffirming the JAAA’s commitment to nurturing talent within Jamaica and challenging unethical practices within the international track and field system.

“We do our best within the resources we have. We respect our athletes, we support them, and we will always try to keep them home. But we are not naive — we know what’s happening, and we will continue to raise our voices in the right forums.”