Allegiance vs Survival: Jamaican Athletes Eye Turkey Amid Growing Discontent

In a move that has sent ripples through the global track and field community, several elite Jamaican athletes are reportedly seeking to switch national allegiance to Turkey — a decision that highlights a growing tension between patriotism and personal survival in sports.

Among the athletes rumored to be making the leap are Roje Stona, Olympic discus champion; Rajindra Campbell, Olympic shot put bronze medalist; Wayne Pinnock, long jump silver medalist; and Jaydon Hibbert, the World U20 triple jump record holder. These names are not just fringe figures — they represent some of Jamaica’s finest talents in field events, an area that has long played second fiddle to the country’s sprinting glory.

The “Turkish Drain”: A Matter of Support or Lack Thereof?

At the heart of this developing exodus lies a fundamental issue: support, or more precisely, the lack of it.

While Jamaica has earned international fame for producing sprint legends like Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Asafa Powell, the country’s field athletes often struggle in the shadows — underfunded, underappreciated, and frequently overlooked. It is in this vacuum of recognition that countries like Turkey have found opportunity.

Reports indicate that athletes switching allegiance are being offered significant financial incentives, including upfront payments and monthly stipends. In contrast, several Jamaican athletes have expressed dissatisfaction with the level of support they receive from their local federation. Asafa Powell, once the face of Jamaican sprinting, recently voiced concern that if things don’t improve, his own son might choose not to represent Jamaica.

Not the First Wave

This is not uncharted territory for Jamaica. Previous high-profile cases include sprinters Jacques Harvey (now Jak Ali Harvey) and Winston Barnes (now Emre Zafer Barnes), who also made the transition to Turkey in the past decade. Their moves, while controversial, paved the way for others to consider foreign representation as a viable path to athletic and financial fulfillment.

What’s different now is the caliber and number of athletes considering the change — and the events they represent. Discus, shot put, long jump, and triple jump have traditionally struggled to gain the same public and institutional investment as the 100m dash. This discrepancy has left many field athletes feeling like afterthoughts in a country otherwise obsessed with track glory.

Patriotism Meets Pragmatism

The looming question is this: should athletes be expected to sacrifice their livelihoods for national pride when the nation fails to support them in return?

In an increasingly globalized and professionalized sports world, athletes are forced to view their careers through a lens of sustainability. Switching allegiance — especially to a country offering better infrastructure, coaching, and monetary reward — becomes less about betrayal and more about survival.

Critics may call it unpatriotic, but many of these athletes are not driven by greed — they are chasing the resources, respect, and recognition they deserve. If Jamaica cannot match these needs, then the conversation must shift from criticism to accountability.

What Can Be Done?

If Jamaica hopes to retain its best and brightest — not just in sprinting, but across all track and field disciplines — it must confront uncomfortable truths:

• Field athletes need investment equal to their sprint counterparts.

• The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) must prioritize athlete welfare, regardless of discipline.

• Corporate Jamaica must expand its sponsorship scope beyond star sprinters.

• Long-term planning and facilities development must become national imperatives.

The loss of talent to foreign nations should not be seen merely as a betrayal, but as a warning sign that the support system is failing those who need it most.

In the end, this isn’t just about Jamaica vs. Turkey. It’s about allegiance vs. survival, and whether national pride can coexist with personal well-being in the modern era of sport.

If Jamaica doesn’t act — others will.