Shock as Brigid Kosgei Among 11 Athletes Linked with Allegiance Switch to Turkey Ahead of LA 2028 Olympics

Former world marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei has been linked with a switch of allegiance to Turkey ahead of the LA 2028 Olympic Games.

Multiple reports have claimed that in a since-deleted post shared by the Turkish Athletics Federation, Brigid Kosgei was among the 11 athletes expected to represent the nation at the LA showpiece.

Track and Field Gazette, on their X (Twitter) handle, claimed that the names were revealed as a part of a 53-man Turkish roster for the Olympics.

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In the list, as seen by Pulse Sports, claimed that Brigid Kosgei, who is fresh from winning the Shanghai Marathon, will lead a strong Kenyan contingent in switching their allegiance.

Ronald Kwemoi, the Olympic 5000m silver medallist, was also included in the list. Another name in the list is Catherine Amanang’ole, the reigning ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon champion, who turns 24 this year.

The duo of Brian Kibor and Nelvin Jepkemboi round up the Kenyan contingent expected to switch their allegiance.

Leading the Jamaican exodus is Olympic discus champion Rojé Stona, who famously broke the Olympic record in Paris to secure Jamaica’s first-ever gold in the event.

He is joined by fellow Olympic medalists Rajindra Campbell (shot put bronze) and Wayne Pinnock (long jump silver), along with triple jump sensation Jaydon Hibbert.

In previous interviews, the athletes cited a lack of financial support and recognition from the Jamaican federation, specifically noting that field events are often overlooked in favour of sprinting.

Turkey has reportedly offered life-changing incentives, including a $500,000 signing bonus and substantial monthly stipends, to secure their talents for the 2028 LA Olympics.

Meanwhile, Nigerian sprint star Favour Ofili officially confirmed her switch to Turkey, citing long-standing frustration with administrative failures in Nigeria that saw her miss key events at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics.

Joining her is 19-year-old Russian heptathlon prodigy Sophia Yakushina, who has taken Turkish citizenship to escape the international bans currently facing Russian athletes and secure a path to the 2028 LA Games.