Jamaica's Olympic Champion Voices Frustration Over Blocked Turkey Move as He Plans Appeal

Olympian Roje Stona is ‘devastated’ after World Athletics denied his application to switch his national allegiance from Jamaica to Turkiye, according to his agent, Paul Doyle.

An appeal is now being prepared to challenge the ruling. Doyle expressed surprise at the decision, noting that similar requests from other athletes have been granted in the past.

"Athletes in the past have been approved, and now all of a sudden, these ones aren’t," Doyle told the Jamaica Observer.

"I can speak for Roje because he’s the only one that I represent; they’ve really, truly embraced Turkish culture, so to me it doesn’t make sense."

The ruling prevents the Olympic discus champion from competing for Turkiye immediately, disrupting his plans for a smooth transition to a new national team.

While Stona is attempting to stay composed, Doyle explained that the news has been a significant blow.

"He’s not happy, obviously, but he understands that it’s a process," Doyle said. "The hope was that he would be eligible right away. That’s obviously not going to be the case now, but he’s pretty devastated."

Stona is one of 11 athletes whose applications were rejected by the World Athletics Nationality Review Panel. The list also includes fellow Jamaican athletes Jaydon Hibbert, Rajindra Campbell, and Wayne Pinnock.

Kenyan stars Brigid Kosgei, Ronald Kwemoi, Brian Kibor, and Catherine Relin Amanang’ole have also been blocked. Nigeria’s Favour Ofili and Russia’s Sophia Yakushina round up the list.

Doyle confirmed that Roje Stona's team will not accept the decision and is ready to fight it. "We’re going to appeal it and see where it can go," he stated. "We’re prepared to take it to the highest level."

Despite the setback, Doyle indicated that Roje Stona remains focused on his training and navigating the appeal process as the situation develops.