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It is now clear that Olympic shot put bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell will not be on show at this year's Tokyo staging of the World Championships, after seeking a switch of allegiance from Jamaica to Turkey.

However, he says this will not stop him from having one of the best seasons of his career.

Campbell, who still holds the Jamaican national shot put record with a personal best mark of 22.31 metres set in Zagreb, Croatia, on September 7, 2024, said he has it in him to surpass that mark with a big throw this season.

"Still the goal is to get the 23 metres," Campbell said. "I have got stronger, the next target right now is to put myself among the greats, so I am pushing to see if I can get into top five all the time in the event."

If Campbell completes his switch to represent Turkey internationally, it is quite likely that he would have to wait three years to compete at a World Athletics Championships or a similar global event, based on World Athletics rules.

This he said will not stop his show.

"If I have to wait three years, so be it," the 29-year-old told STAR Sports.

Despite his absence from this year's World Champs, Campbell said he plans to take the top spot in events like the Diamond League.

"That's the end goal," to become Diamond League champion, the Pan-American shot put finalist said.

"I have Diamond League this weekend then, a couple more meetings in Europe and that's it for the season," he stated, on the eve of competing at the Prefontaine Classic meeting in Eugene, Oregon.

The burly athlete also said his training is going well and he is in the form to produce great throws.

"I have set a goal for myself, very tough goal but I believe I have the necessary tools, programmes and structures to achieve it," he informed. "It is so far ahead, where this is just the ground work for it, so that keeps me going," he said.

SWITCH OF ALLEGIANCE

As for the direction of how field athletes are expected to be treated after the responses of the authorities to the allegiance switch of many of Jamaica's top athletes, Campbell had this to say.

"I'm no longer eligible to comment on anything taking place in the federation," he said.

But he did have a few concerns.

"I think the question that should be asked is what happens with the deal from Adidas?

"A structure was presented, and it was rejected. The financial demand would have been met ... but it was rejected," he said.

The government, Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association and other stakeholders have slated measures to address some of the athletes' concerns.

But Campbell said: "Until there's a plan being executed, I don't think nothing has changed."

sports@gleanerjm.com