Brigid Kosgei Among 11 Athletes Blocked from Multi-Million Türkiye Transfers by World Athletics

Former marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei is among a group of elite athletes whose applications to switch allegiance to Türkiye have been rejected by the World Athletics Nationality Review Panel.

Brigid Kosgei, one of Kenya’s most decorated long-distance runners, headlines a list of 11 high-profile athletes affected by the ruling, highlighting the scale and significance of the case.

The panel’s decision impacts athletes from multiple nations, many of whom are globally recognised figures in track and field.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

Those denied eligibility include Kenyan stars Brigid Kosgei, Ronald Kwemoi, Brian Kibor, and Catherine Relin Amanang’ole.

Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell, Jaydon Hibbert, Wayne Pinnock, and Olympic champion Rojé Stona have also been denied the switch of allegiance to Turkey. Nigeria’s Favour Ofili and Russia’s Sophia Yakushina are also among those affected.

In its ruling, the panel made it clear that approving the applications would have gone against the fundamental principles governing nationality transfers in athletics.

According to the findings, the applications were not isolated cases but part of a coordinated recruitment effort, with athletes being targeted through lucrative offers designed to encourage them to represent Türkiye on the global stage.

The panel determined that this approach conflicted with the core objective of the regulations, to preserve fairness, integrity, and authenticity in international sport.

Investigations revealed that the recruitment drive was backed by a government-owned and financed sports structure, aimed at assembling a strong national team through foreign talent.

The long-term goal reportedly included strengthening Türkiye’s medal prospects at major global competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

“The panel found that the applications formed part of a coordinated recruitment strategy led by the Türkiye government acting through a wholly‑owned and financed government club, to attract overseas athletes through lucrative contracts, with the aim of facilitating transfers of allegiance and enabling those athletes to represent Türkiye at future international competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games,” a statement from the panel read.

However, World Athletics ruled that such a model undermines the spirit of national representation and risks turning international competition into a system driven by external recruitment rather than athlete development.

As a result of the ruling, Brigid Kosgei and the other athletes will not be eligible to represent Türkiye in international competitions.

However, the decision does not prevent them from continuing their careers. They remain free to compete in road races, one-day meetings, and other events as individuals or club athletes. They can also continue to live and train in Türkiye if they choose.