Why Jamaican Athletes Are Switching Allegiance to Turkey as Olympic Medalist Makes Move
- Jamaican athlete Rajindra Campbell has switched his allegiance to Turkey, and Roje Stone is reportedly looking to follow suit
- The island nations has produced world-beating track and field athletes, but they won one gold medal at the Paris Olympics
- Jak Ali Harvey and Emre Zafer Barnes switched their allegiance to Turkey in 2015, and more could follow them
Jamaican Olympic medallist Rajindra Campbell has switched allegiance to Turkey, with reports indicating that her compatriot, Roje Stone, is set to follow suit.
Source: Getty Images
How many Jamaican athletes have switched allegiance?
Jamaica is renowned for producing world-class track and field athletes. From Usain Bolt to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the island has dominated the sprints for years.
According to Reuters, Rajindra Campbell, the Paris Olympics bronze medalist, has switched his allegiance from Jamaica to Turkey.
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Roje Stone is also reportedly set to follow Campbell. The 29-year-old won a gold medal in the discus at the Paris Olympics. It was Jamaica's first gold medal in the event.
Stone honed his craft in the USA at the college level in Clemson and Arkansas.
Long jump star Wayne Pinnock, triple jump star Jaydon Hibbert are reportedly looking to switch their allegiance to Turkey. Jak Ali Harvey and Emre Zafer Barnes made the switch in 2015.
Why are Jamaican athletes switching to Turkey?
The Trinidad & Tobago Guardian via Reuters reported that the two athletes could pocket $500,000 (approximately KSh 65 million) signing bonus and a monthly stipend.
Therefore, the athletes are switching to Turkey for financial reasons.
World silver medalist from Jamaica, Fedrick Dacres, said he supports Campbell and Stone switching to Turkey.
"You can’t really complain. They really have to take care of themselves and if country not helping and all that, loyalty not too up there like that, if you know what I mean," he told Jamaica Observer.
“So, I support their decisions. They are their own big man and if it’s beneficial to them, who are we to say nah,” he added.
Source: Getty Images
The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) have denied that their athletes have switched to Turkey.
Campbell told Jamaica Gleaner that Jamaican field athletes do not get support.
“Jamaica has been having success in the field events for the longest time and even then the cries were there for improvement and support, but I don’t believe the situation will change much."
Four of the six medals Jamaica won at the Paris Olympics were from field events.
How has Jamaica performed at the Olympics?
The island nation has produced some iconic athletes, mainly in track and field. Usain Bolt is Jamaica's greatest athlete.
The country has been competing at the Olympic Games since 1948, but its success came in the 21st century.
Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Elaine Thompson-Herah dominated the sprints for years, collectively winning 14 individual gold medals across multiple Olympic Games.
In the 2024 edition, they won just one gold medal. It remains to be seen if other top Jamaican athletes will switch their allegiance in future.
How Fraser-Pryce inspired Faith Kipyegon
Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Faith Kipyegon shared how Fraser-Pryce inspired her to keep going.
The Kenyan superstar gave birth while at the peak of her career, and bounced back to win medals and break world records.
She has broken the 1500m twice, smashed the Mile record and will be looking to become the first woman to run the mile under four minutes.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
