Jamaican athletes switching allegiance to Turkey

for USD 500 Grand and a possible USD 1 million in bonuses for winning medals?

Nitro - it it true?

This should be interesting..

In reply to FanAttick

I didn't yah post before I did, but two words: money power!

In reply to FanAttick

Unfortunately yes.
Stona who won gold and a youth who won bronze. A triple jumper close to switching and some sprinters said to have started the process.

I do understand the athletes accepting. USD500K is a lot in the sport. Apart from winning some medals, how this amount of money benefit Turkey?

alsIn reply to nitro

i heard about Stona and Campbell but they also said a third athlete is seriously contemplating the offer also. interesting that you said triple jumper...

In reply to rudebway

I thought it was Jaden Hibbert as he was not registered for national trials but I understand he is now. Still it could be because his process is not yet complete.

I don't think Elaine Thompson was registered up to yesterday for trials

In reply to nitro

we think alike. i checked the JAAA site. Hibert is registered. lol. i was also searching to see if the great lady from Banana Ground was registered but it looks like i gotta move past Elaine.

In reply to FanAttick

Well well well.. I am not too surprised at this development.
First of all chalk it up to the tremendous success and reputation of
the Jamaica product.
Many will certainly feel more than a bit peeved and disappointed
by turn of events which could lead to a more exodus of the local
talent.
Not me.
But perhaps the first thing that the Athletics community,JOA and the Sports Ministry should do
is to look within ,take note and examine conditions that is leading even top rated athletes with their
decisions and see if there are conditions that need to improve,enacted and made good to avoid
a growing negative.
However it must be noted that we are living in different environment and today's world is governed
by one main thing..M O N E Y.
Love of my country is one thing but every individual has to do whatever is honest and best for himself
or her self to better their situation and secure a better future by maximising one's talent with proper reward.
No matter which country these athletes adopt or seek citizenship, they will always be Jamaicans as nothing trumps where the navel string
is buried(not even Con Trump) because that was how we were taught generations ago.
I am happy for them and wish them well.
Frustration with goings on in the fraternity from leadership standpoint could also a solid reason to flee the coup.
I recall some policy and decision making at the two most recent International Stages, where in one case especially
that involved the composition of the Real team was absolutely indefensible and I think it involved Elaine Thompson too.
Yes such episodes are not easily digested by affected athletes and over time, an athlete could be motivated more by money
and less dramatics in safer pastures.
So all should look within for the Genesis before condemnation and such rules.
It is not easy ,especially for someone from humble,poor stations of life, to ignore such sums 1/2 million (US) ??
with added perks too ?
Walk ,jump,throw and run well you athletes. Best of luck.
And to all others, Look in the mirror.

Jamaican Olympic medallists Roje Stona and Rajindra Campbell have formally committed to switching allegiance to Türkiye.

The move renders both men ineligible to represent Jamaica at global events for the next three years, including this year’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The revelation, first broken by Sportsmax.TV on Sunday and now confirmed by TVJ Sports today, follows covert negotiations reportedly led by a prominent American sports agent known for his deep ties within international athletics.

Stona and Campbell have both accepted offers that includes a US$500,000 signing bonus, monthly stipends, and six-figure incentives for podium finishes at major championships.

Stona made history for Jamaica by becoming the country’s first Olympic champion in a throwing event with his triumph in the discus Paris last year while Campbell claimed bronze in the shot put.

Those are just the first dominoes to fall, however, as a prominent long jumper and triple jumper are also among those believed to be making the switch as well.

This is not new, have a friend whose son ran for one Arab country in an Olympic, but he could not make the Jamaican team, Richards now doing commentary ran for the USA.

In reply to camos

Not new but a bit different in that this time involves a gold medalist. I recall a while back some of the 100m men couldn’t make the team because we had bolt Blake asofta, ashamead, Nesta and frater . I think they switched to Bahrain.

In reply to rudebway

In reply to rudebway

Yeah, Fisher was the one I know his dad. Stona is all over the place, first he wanted to go to the NFL,now this.

good for the athletes.

Make you money while you can.

I remembered this guy Winston Barnes who became Emre Zafer Barnes

but I'm sure there's another.

In reply to FanAttick

The Observer reports that Jaydon Hibbert (triple jump)and Wayne pinnock (long jump) are also now Turkish.

In reply to camos

Sanya is different she never ever ran for JA. but there was another 400m female who switched from JA to US, Dunn I believe. She was later banned.
I had a long inbox convo with Ewart who said he was stunned to learn that at one point we almost lost Sherika to The Arabs

In reply to Brerzerk

Here's the story

In reply to rudebway

It’s true

In reply to Brerzerk

Wednesday was chicken [free kfc), Thursday was turkey

Don’t forget the great Merlene Ottey also switched!

In reply to XDFIX



different circumstance.

In reply to rudebway

Ottey adopted Slovene nationality on 27 October 2002, following a dispute with the Jamaican federation over her participation at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Primarily a 200 metre runner, Ottey did win the World Championships at that distance in 1993 and 1995, adding a gold in the 1991 4x100 relay.

In reply to XDFIX

Still different, that was at the tail-end of her career. Same way Merlene didn't want to give way to upcoming VCB; same way VCB didn' wanna give way to
upcoming Shelly. Dem yah youthman n man either inna dem ackee or full ah potential and make the decision for a good living offa dem talent.
Thing is they'll spend very little time in Turkey. They'll still keep the same coaches, train in the same place (US) and most likely buy homes in Yard/US.
If they win gold it will be funny to see them attempting to mumble The Turkish National Anthem.

NB They are not the first Yardies to switch to Turkey. 1st to do so even changed his name to an Islamic name. Wonder if part of the deal that this lot are also forced to acquire Islamic names too.

In reply to hubert

No long analysis necessary this is just about 1 thing and me not sure J3A can afford these level of compensation for athletes. It seems J3A will need to claw back something from these compensation packages, if Athletes choosing to go this route. It will be interesting to see if there will be a backlash from the public.

In reply to XDFIX

i know all that bro. Here is the non wikipedia version.

Merlene was fourth at trials and wanted Peta Gaye Dowdie to give up her 100 m spot. Because she is the great merlene ottey. So JAAA forced Peta out of the 100m. A bunch of Jamaican athletes protested at the olympics about it, which was pretty embarassing. Thats when Merlene pretty much decided to switch. Essentially, she felt entitled to the spot and felt others who didnt see it that way were ungrateful for all she did for the country. nothing to do with money. the current situation is money related .

fast forward 2008. jamaica trials. who win ? Kerron Stewart the favorite. Shelly second and Sherone simpson third, i think. Could have been the other way around. Most importantly, the great VCB fourth. Folks were talking and wondering if they would remove Shelly so that VCB could run. the rest is history.

Another random non related example. Jevaugn Minzie was removed from the 100m so that Usain could run. probably 2016 ish. No one complained because it is Usain. But it crushed Minzie.