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‘JAAA has received no documentation’ - Gayle says reports of athletes switching allegiance just ‘allegations’
June 20, 2025
While the track and field community is caught in a frenzy following reports of several elite athletes set to switch their allegiance from Jamaica to Turkey, Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) President Garth Gayle said, at this time, these reports are simply "allegations" as they are yet to receive documents supporting the claims.
According to reports on social media, two national field events athletes have made the switch while a third athlete is also reportedly set to transfer their allegiance to Turkey, in a targeted recruitment process.
A third athlete, yet to be named, is also reportedly set to transfer their allegiance to Turkey, in a targeted recruitment process.
The recruitment is said to be part of an overarching effort by Turkey to bolster their Olympic medal chances at the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
When STAR Sports reached out to Gayle for a comment, he said the JAAA is yet to receive any documentation regarding a transfer of allegiance and, at this time, will be treating the reports as allegations.
"As far as we're concerned, these are just allegations being said in the public space," Gayle stated.
"The JAAA has received no documentation and that is all I will say on the matter."
It is reported that both athletes are set to receive an upfront payment of US$500,000 as a signing bonus, along with monthly stipends and further incentives if they are able to achieve podium finishes while representing Turkey.
WAITING PERIOD
In order to satisfy the World Athletics' standard three-year wait period to compete at the 2028 LA Olympic Games, the athletes are expected to complete their switch of allegiance before the end of June.
"A competitor who has represented one country in the Olympic Games, in continental or regional games or in world or regional championships... who has changed his nationality or acquired a new nationality, may participate in the Olympic Games to represent his new country provided that at least three years have passed since the competitor last represented his former country," the World Athletics regulations read.
However, the three-year wait period can be reduced upon the agreement of both countries involved and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
"This period may be reduced or even cancelled, with the agreement of the National Olympic Committees and, IF concerned, by the IOC Executive Board, which takes into account the circumstances of each case."
The athletes named on social media last represented Jamaica at the Paris Games last year.
If the 'allegations' come to pass, they would not be the first athletes to switch their allegiance from Jamaica.
Shericka Williams, Kemarley Brown, Andrew Fisher and Brandon Simpson have all in the past switched allegiances to Bahrain, with Jak Ali Harvey, previously Jacques Harvey, having switched to Turkey in 2015.
Perhaps most notable of them all, Merlene Ottey had switched allegiance to Slovenia in 2002, where she represented the European country for a decade.
