Jamaica appeals to World Athletics as top athletes eye Türkiye switch
The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) is urging World Athletics to intervene as four of the island’s elite track and field athletes prepare to switch allegiance to Türkiye, according to the Jamaican Gleaner newspaper.
JAAA President Garth Gayle voiced concern over what he described as a ‘brain drain’ of talent, likening the situation to the exodus of skilled professionals in other sectors.
Olympic medalists Roje Stona, Rajindra Campbell, and Wayne Pinnock, along with world U20 triple jump record holder Jaydon Hibbert, are reportedly set to represent Türkiye after receiving lucrative offers. Their departure would be a significant blow to Jamaica’s growing field events programme.
‘We’re not happy. We surely can’t be happy,’ Gayle said at the launch of the National Junior and Senior Championships. ‘Four talented young athletes. That’s like a brain drain in teaching that’s happening.’
While acknowledging that the JAAA must operate within the rules of World Athletics, Gayle emphasized that Jamaica’s concerns will be formally raised at the upcoming World Athletics Congress in Tokyo this September.
‘We are putting it in black and white,’ he said. ‘Jamaica’s voice will be heard.’
Gayle also called on corporate Jamaica to invest more in athletics to help retain top talent and ensure the country remains competitive on the global stage.
