)
Jamaican athletes who have taken up Turkish citizenship have been slammed for disloyalty but they have received a rare show of support from one of their colleagues.
Amid the uproar that has greeted news that top track and field stars have ditched Jamaica and taken up Turkish citizenship, the athletes have received rare support.
Jamaica was rocked last week when news came in that shot putter Rajindra Campbell, triple jumper Jaydon Hibbert, long jump star Wayne Pinnock, and Olympic shot-put champion Rojae Stona had taken up Turkish citizenship.
The athletes were reportedly each paid $500,000 to change nationalities, seeing Jamaica lose medal prospects just three months to the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan in September.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports
However, former Jamaica national shot putter Kyle Mitchell totally understands why the athletes have opted to decamp, painting a sad picture of what track and field stars endure in the Caribbean nation.
)
11:00 - 21.06.2025
Federation Breaks Silence on Alleged Athlete Exodus From Jamaica to Turkey
Jamaica's athletics federation has responded to the widespread reports about Jamaican athletes transferring allegiance to Turkey.
“Anyone outside of the sprints are left out of the ecosystem — and I think that this is a big part of the problem,” Mitchell told the Jamaican Observer.
Why Are Track & Field Stars Ditching Jamaica?
“There is no consistent pipeline of care, no structured network within the track and field, no strategy to keep our past and present connected to our future. We have just been relying heavily on national pride for far too long.”
Mitchell used the example of Campbell, who had to work part-time at Domino’s Pizza to make ends meet last year, during his training for the Paris Olympics.
“It was very sad to hear the things that he had to be doing in order to make his dreams become a reality, especially at the level that he is at. I remember one time he came on Instagram Live and he was actually delivering a pizza while on the live,” he added.
)
16:00 - 22.06.2025
Ackera Nugent Clears the Air Over Rumours of Ditching Jamaica for Turkey
Jamaican sprinter Ackera Nugent has made her stance over a possible switching of allegiance to Turkey as has been witnessed from some of the country’s top athletes recently.
“He had to ask for support just to train, and he was actually staying with family at the time. Imagine if he didn’t have any family? There could have been a situation where we aren’t even talking about Rajindra right now.”
Mitchell therefore feels the criticism directed towards the decamping athletes is not fair and the heat should be turned elsewhere instead.
Decamping Athletes Fully Supported
“I think they did what was best for them. After college, it becomes a business. These guys are professional athletes. If the system in place offers no financial incentive, and you still have a family to feed and dreams to chase, how can anyone fault them for accepting a lucrative offer elsewhere?” he posed.
“You have athletes like Akeem Bloomfield, Odean Skeen, Jaheel Hyde — I don’t know their situation personally or why they decided to step away from the sport but I can almost guarantee that a lot of it had to do with a lack of support, stewardship, and cultivating a relationship with these athletes,” Mitchell further said.
)
13:00 - 22.06.2025
Jamaican Sprint Legend Reacts to Athletes Switching Allegiance to Turkey for $500K and Bonuses
Jamaican Olympic medalists switch allegiance to Turkey for massive financial incentives, sparking debate and support from a legendary track star.
The decision by the athletes to take up Turkish citizenship has deeply divided opinion in Jamaica, generating debate between loyalty to the country and welfare of track and field stars.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)