WHILE many Jamaicans are still processing the decision by some of the country’s top athletes to switch allegiance to Turkey, Great Britain’s (GB) former World and European champion Iwan Thomas believes it’s the best move for their career due to the financial hardships some competitiors face.

Members of Jamaica’s team arrived in Tottori, Tokyo, on Monday ahead of the World Athletics Championships set for September 13 to 21.

However, they will be without Olympic discus throw champion Roje Stona, Olympic and World Championship silver medallist Wayne Pinnock, Olympic shot put bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell, and Olympic triple jump finalist Jaydon Hibbert, who are set to represent Turkey in time for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

The field events athletes have reportedly been offered a US $500,000 ($80-million) signing bonus as well as monthly stipends and medal bonuses which could be as much as US$710,000 ($113.6 million). The four, via various media, have defended their decision.

There have been mixed reactions to their departure but former Great Britain 400m record holder Thomas, who won World Championships gold in 1997 and European gold in 1998, said it’s hard to criticise the athletes, despite the success they’ve had with Jamaica.

“It’s tough though, because I think — especially with Jamaicans — they seem to be such a proud nation,” he said on
The Fozcast. “Their support, their fan base all around the world, wherever you go, the Jamaican fans are the best, they’re the loudest, so I can see some people would see that as selling out and other people would say, ‘Why not? You’ve got to support your family.’ ”

Thomas, who also won Olympic silver in 1996, also believes the risk of injury, potentially the career-threatening kind, made it easier for Stona, Campbell, Pinnock and Hibbert to make the switch to Turkey.

“Athletics is one of those sports where it’s very unforgiving, so if you’re talking about what you think you might be worth, how much effort you put in, we’re at the bottom of the food chain so you can see why these Jamaican athletes would go to Turkey or somewhere where they’re promised a better life,” he said.

Thomas, whose 44.36-second British 400m record stood for close to 30 years, says more may go down that route given the limited attention and financial rewards field event athletes get.

“They’re not doing the blue-riband events where everybody wants to see them line up like in the 100 metres. It’s not a Usain Bolt who’s a global superstar; you’re talking about athletes who are going under the radar on the global stage and not making enough money. So many athletes have to get a proper job after sport because it’s a short-lived career as well,” he said.

“Those athletes, I can understand why they’d go somewhere like Turkey because the financial reward is so worth it — and they may only have two or three good years — so you can see why they would do that. It’s a tough one, but unless you are doing one of the events where the world is watching and your big sponsorship will come in, you can see why athletes struggle. And a lot of athletes, even British athletes — certainly before… [improved] funding came in — had to have jobs alongside training.”

Despite not being eligible to compete for Turkey at a major championship for the next three years, Stona, Pinnock and Campbell have all competed on the circuit this season, including the Diamond League, in which they all secured spots in the final in Zurich.

Hibbert is reportedly resting and recovering after undergoing surgery last year to repair a torn ligament in his left knee.

Undated photo of British former 400m record holder Iwan Thomas

Jaydon Hibbert (Photo: Observer file)

Roje Stona (Photo: AFP)

Rajindra Campbell (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Wayne Pinnock (Photo: AFP)

THOMAS… wherever you go, the Jamaican fans are the best, they’re the loudest, so I can see some people would see that as selling out