With the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association set to appeal to World Athletics about the ongoing switching allegiance issue, president Garth Gayle believes some agents and coaches are deliberately undermining its programme. He says that has contributed to athletes opting to represent other countries.

His comments come in light of Turkey persuading four of Jamaica’s Olympic stars to take steps to represent them internationally in time for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

On Monday, World Athletics confirmed that it received four applications for transfer of allegiance from Jamaica to Turkey and will review over the next few months before making a decision.

Though not named, the four are Olympic Games discus throw champion Roje Stona, Olympic long jump silver medallist Wayne Pinnock, Olympic shot put bronze medallist Campbell and Olympic triple jump finalist Hibbert.

The Jamaica Observer has learnt that the quartet is set to be confirmed as Turkish citizens before the end of this month.

Reports are that athletes could receive as much as US $500,000 ($80 million) along with monthly stipends and bonuses of near US$1 million for winning medals at global championships.

Turkey will ultimately require the JAAA to sign off on the athletes’ switch of allegiance in accordance to World Athletics rules but Gayle says no approach has been made.

“Not with any member of my executive of the JAAA nor myself — no such communique. We have observed what is in the media and we would have seen a video but being responsible people, we would want to operate in the right and proper manner,” he said.

Gayle also revealed he’s yet to have a conversation with Stona, Pinnock, Campbell and Hibbert but believes a select group of coaches and agents is responsible for the athletes’ imminent departure.

“Suffice to say, our sport is being handcuffed by a particular group of stakeholders,” he said.

“That is a question maybe that could be asked of that group of stakeholders who would have been in clear dialogue with these athletes in why they would have chosen the route they have chosen. Because I guarantee you, every one of us has excellent rapport with these athletes but there’s a specific group that manages these athletes and the question I would ask is maybe best posed to them.”

Gayle, though, says he has no intention of blocking the athletes’ path to representing Turkey,

“We surely can’t be happy [that] four talented young athletes — that’s like a brain drain in teaching. In athletics, especially in a specialist area like field events, it’s not easy to accept but we must manage within the rule of the competition as well as the rule of engagement with our World Athletics body,” he said.

While the four are in the spotlight, the Observer has learnt that a number of other top Jamaican athletes have been approached and are waiting until the end of this week’s National Senior Championships to make a decision.

Gayle says he will be appealing to World Athletics to take action to prevent more of their stars from departing.

“It will be raised, we are putting it in black and white and we’ll be sending it to World Athletics to be heard at the congress and I will be taking a written copy to the congress in Tokyo, Japan. Jamaica’s voice will be heard and I’m sure I’ll be having quite a number of colleagues following with me on this motion,” said Gayle.

JAAA first vice-president Ian Forbes says he understands the difficulties athletes face but believes the world governing cannot be passive in the allegiance switching situation.

“World Athletics needs to look at the situation critically to see exactly what is happening and the fact that it can destroy the sport,” Forbes said.

“The athletes have a right to decide which direction to go, they have to look and act in what they think is in their best interest so one shouldn’t necessarily upset with the athletes. Based on the nature of the sport, it can all be over pretty quickly so they have to look and make decisions in their best interest.”

“I’m not saying more can’t be done [by the JAAA] and we have to look at it creatively and innovate as we try to support our athletes and retain them but the whole process has to be looked at it – World Athletics has to look at it and make sure certain checks and balances. The documents also speak to it — is it strictly for just financial inducement? (Mercenary) is the terminology that is used — I’m not necessarily sure that’s what it is or even using the term but it has to be looked at,” Forbes added.

Gayle also defended the JAAA, saying the organisation is doing its best to ensure the local sport is governed properly.

“No member of the JAAA is paid. We’re each our own professional but persons think that the JAAA are benefiting,” he said.

“It’s not easy — I went and started my school this morning and raced over because I made that decision and I continue to serve and give back as an educator as well as in the field of sport. There’s no reward except to see the black, green and gold being hoisted and our anthem is played. That’s my way of giving back — that’s our way of giving back,” Gayle added.

JAAA honorary secretary Ludlow Watts says the organisation has no intention of matching the lucrative offers the athletes are receiving, but that it will continue to invest in the sport in different ways.

“Over the past 10 years, we have provided $104 million in terms of assistance for athletes which is $10 million per year. It’s not enough but what we are able to say, though, is what this administration has been able to do is build a programme so persons like Turkey and others — if we didn’t have a good programme, they wouldn’t be coming to take our athletes,” Watts said.

“This is something that has been happening and I don’t think it will ever stop. So we amongst ourselves will continue to build and develop our programmes to the benefit of our athletes. There’s no way we can ever match those benefits that are offered, [because] we don’t have the resources but we’ll have to build within the resources, that we have to get the best results.”

The JAAA is now putting its focus on this week’s National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium, which serves as the trials for various global championships including September’s World Championships in Tokyo.

Jaydon Hibbert (Photo: Collin Reid)