News that several high-profile Jamaican athletes have switched allegiance for financial benefits, has been met with empathy by former quarter-miler Brandon Simpson, an Olympic finalist for Jamaica, who later represented Bahrain.

Simpson, who represented Jamaica at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where he finished fifth in the 400m final, also helped the country to World Championships 4x400m relay medals in 2001, 2003 and 2005, before making the decision to switch his allegiance to Bahrain in 2006.

As he reflected on his own choices, Simpson believes that given the challenges faced by athletes, it is understandable that some will be lured by greater financial security.

“It was a very dificult decision for me at the time. I had developed my career as a Jamaican and leaving was not an easy decision at all because I preferred to represent my country,” Simpson told the Jamaica Observer.

Paris 2024 discus gold medallist Roje Stona, shot put bronze medal winner Rajindra Campbell and long jump silver medallist Wayne Pinnock are all believed to have agreed to represent Türkiye, after an aggressive recruitment effort led by an international agent. World Under-20 Championships triple jump champion and prodigy Jaydon Hibbert is also reported to be on his way through the door.

“I don’t think people really fully understand what athletes are up against. They are basically training for something that is not promised and to make income while you are training is really difficult unless you have a shoe deal. I think athletes will entertain the idea of switching allegiance because of the financial gain that they might get from such a decision and as Jamaicans we have been getting support from the Government recently. During my time there wasn’t much of that, so that was basically why I switched,” Simpson shared.

According to reports, the athletes have been offered a signing bonus of US$500,000 ($80 million) as well as lucrative performance-based incentives.

The athletes’ citizenship change and eligibility is expected to be ratified in time for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Türkiye had one of the most impressive incentive packages for its athletes at the 2024 Olympic Games with gold medal winners pocketing US$531,638 ($85 million), silver medallists taking home US$313,258 ($50 million), while US$157,616 ($25 million) was paid out for each bronze medal won.

“I think in general, countries typically support their athletes financially,” said Simpson. “It’s a typical thing when I was on the ciurcuit to find out that athletes would be getting some type of support from their government. I think Jamaica has a very big brand, I think that our athletes are now creating a larger space in the economy and it would be important to try and faciltate some sort of financial support on top of what they are already doing.”

“Ideally, I really think that people should compete for their native country and I think each government should really try and create the scenario for athletes to be comfortable as they train and deal with life on a whole.

“We are basically ambassadors, as oppoosed to just athletes, we carry a flag and instead of considering to go to other countries there should be a way to be able to stay and represent our own,” said Simpson.

Meanwhile, sports analyst Carole Beckford says she understands the reasons behind the moves and believes that authorities need to consider how to better support athletes.

“The athletes have an opportunity to earn a considerable living for them and their families. This won’t be the last of the movement for elite track and field athletes. I am happy for them. World Athletics has to look at its commercial operations, likewise Jamaica, as a track and field power, to sustain, maintain and encourage those who are in the sport. The game changes every day,” said Beckford.