World Athletics Blocks 11 Athlete Transfers to Turkey Over “Coordinated Recruitment” Concerns
World Athletics has rejected applications from 11 elite athletes seeking to switch their national allegiance to Turkey, citing concerns over what it described as a coordinated recruitment strategy backed by the Turkish government.
The governing body for global athletics said the transfer requests raised serious questions about compliance with its eligibility rules and the integrity of international competition. The athletes involved come from several countries, including Kenya, Jamaica, Nigeria, and Russia.
Among the most high-profile names affected is Brigid Kosgei, the former women’s marathon world record-holder from Kenya. Olympic discus champion Roje Stona of Jamaica, who won gold at the Paris 2024 Games, is also part of the group whose applications were denied.
In total, the list includes five Kenyan athletes, four Jamaicans, one Nigerian, and one Russian competitor. All had applied to represent Turkey in future international competitions.
World Athletics said the applications appeared to be linked to a broader effort by Turkey to recruit top international athletes through financial incentives and contracts offered via a government-backed sports club.
According to the organisation, approving the transfers would undermine the principles that govern nationality changes in athletics. These rules are designed to ensure fairness, prevent exploitation, and maintain the credibility of international representation.
Officials stated that the applications were reviewed collectively due to their similarities and concluded that the process did not align with the spirit of the regulations. As a result, all 11 athletes have been declared ineligible to compete for Turkey in international events.
The decision means the athletes will not be able to represent Turkey at major competitions, including the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, which had reportedly been a key target for the recruitment effort.
World Athletics emphasised that nationality transfers must meet strict criteria, including residency requirements and waiting periods, to prevent countries from rapidly assembling teams made up of foreign-born athletes.
The move also highlights growing concerns within global sport about the influence of financial incentives in athlete transfers and the potential impact on competitive balance.
Turkey’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics has been seen as a possible factor behind the recruitment push. Despite winning eight medals, the country did not secure a single gold medal, prompting questions about how it could strengthen its athletics programme ahead of future competitions.
The athletes named in the decision include Catherine Relin Amanang’ole, Brian Kibor, Ronald Kwemoi, and Nelvin Jepkemboi from Kenya, as well as Jamaican athletes Rajindra Campbell, Jaydon Hibbert, and Wayne Pinnock. Nigeria’s Favour Ofili and Russia’s Sophia Yakushina are also among those affected.
World Athletics has made it clear that the ruling is final under current regulations, although athletes may still compete for their original countries if eligible.
The decision is expected to spark debate within the athletics community about the balance between athlete mobility and the need to preserve national identity in sport.
As international competition continues to evolve, governing bodies are likely to face increasing pressure to address similar cases in the future, particularly as countries seek new ways to gain a competitive edge on the global stage.
