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JAAA president Garth Gayle remains optimistic, viewing the athlete exodus to Turkey as a chance for new Jamaican talent to rise.
Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) president, Garth Gayle, has explained the positive impact of the current exodus of athletes from Jamaica to Turkey.
Several Jamaican field athletes have allegedly switched their allegiance and are set to represent Turkey at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, until the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.
Roje Stona, Rajindra Campbell, Jaydon Hibbert and Wayne Pinnock are among the athletes said to be in the process of acquiring their Turkish passports.
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07:10 - 24.06.2025
'We Take a Lot of Hits' - JAAA President Defends Unpaid Officials Amid Athlete Exodus to Turkey
JAAA President Garth Gayle defended the federation against criticism amid top athletes leaving for financial incentives, insisting officials serve without pay.
Several Jamaican track and field fans have expressed their disappointment following the exodus, but the JAAA president sees it as a good opportunity for upcoming talent.
JAAA President Garth Gayle: We Have All Been Impacted
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While acknowledging that the news of athletes switching allegiance is sad, JAAA president Garth Gayle explained that there is nothing the federation can do to change the athletes’ minds.
He pointed out that the issue presents another opportunity for the thousands of field athletes who had been denied chances of competing at the World Championships or Olympic Games.
“We have all been impacted by the news of four offers of our field event athletes to switch allegiance to Turkey ahead of our national championship and subsequently the world championships in Tokyo in a few months,” Garth Gayle said in a video shared by Omilia Sports.
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09:30 - 24.06.2025
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The Jamaican sprint icon has reflected on her journey and shared heartfelt thoughts ahead of her final race on home soil.
“Although this phenomenon is not unique to Jamaica, nor is it to the JAAA of concern to all Jamaicans, nevertheless, I would like to emphasise that the challenge it offers will create new opportunities for other athletes to now gain selection and to represent the country. It is a future-deciding moment for quite a number of our athletes.”
Jamaica’s Federation Still Committed to Developing Athletics in Jamaica
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The JAAA president further stated that their mission remains focused on the development of the sport in Jamaica.
He added that they are equal to the challenge, as Jamaican athletes consistently perform above the level of many developed countries they face in European competitions.
They explained that their operations are always guided by the rules of World Athletics and are primarily influenced by the resources they can offer athletes, while continually striving to improve those opportunities.
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08:26 - 24.06.2025
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“In light of this reality, the JAAA will continue with athletes, agents, managers and coaches to understand their specific concerns and needs. When informed of such, we shall explore ways to address them within the context of the available resources,” he added.
“The JAAA commends the government of Jamaica for providing cash incentives and grant funds to our athletes who competed in the recent 2024 Paris Olympics, and hopes that such initiatives could be done by some of us, or well could be done by local companies here in Jamaica.”
Garth Gayle’s remarks signal a pragmatic approach by the JAAA, highlighting that while the loss of key athletes is difficult, it opens the door for a new generation to rise.
As the federation stays committed to development and engagement, the focus now shifts to nurturing emerging talent and strengthening the support systems that keep Jamaica competitive on the world stage.
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