TOKYO, Japan — Jamaica will be pushing the issue of athlete transfers and eligibility to the forefront at this week’s World Athletics Congress and Convention, with Team Manager Ian Forbes confirming that the matter will be formally raised by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).

Forbes also responded to questions around the absence of standout shot put athlete Danniel Thomas-Dodd and spoke to the impact of the just-concluded pre-championship camp in Tottori.

The congress and convention will take place on September 11 and 12 and will see delegates from all World Athletics member federations gather to discuss important issues pertaining to and affecting the organisation and sport.

Jamaica has been among several nations expressing frustration at the growing number of athletes switching allegiance, often lured away from smaller, less resource-rich federations in a trend that some stakeholder argue undermines the development of track and field in those federations while creating an inorganic advantage for wealthier countries.

“I am pretty certain that this will be raised by the JAAA. I will not be attending congress but our representatives will be taking that up,” Forbes confirmed, while saying that he believes the JAAA’s position will receive support within World Athletics.

“I think a number of countries are incensed particularly those that would have been impacted I’d say in a negative way, so I think the support for that position will be there and I think it’s time to take a critical look on the whole scenario concerning transfer of allegiance.”

Several well-established Jamaican athletes – Olympic discus champion Roje Stona, long jump silver medallist Wayne Pinnock, discus bronze medal winner Rajindra Campbell and triple-jumper Jaydon Hibbert, switched allegiance from Jamaica to Turkiye.

While the issues around the Congress debate takes focus for others within the JAAA ranks, Forbes is channeling his energy into the team’s preparation for the start of competition on September 13.

He downplayed the potential effect of rising temperatures in Japan on the athletes and also isn’t expecting the inordinately large distance between the warm-up track and competition venue to be a problem.

“The heat has been a factor, it has been pretty hot but of course one has to take the necessary steps to mitigate that and of course hydration is one of those steps. With respect to the accommodation the Village is really a hotel, top class with requisite air conditioning and other amenities to make it as comfortable as possible for the athletes,” he said.

With the post-Olympic removal of the warm-up track that was used for that event, World Athletics actually changed it rules to facilitate Japan’s hosting of the championship.

Under the previous requirements and according to World Athletics Track and Field Facilities Manual 2019, in order to host a World Championships, a 400m warm-up track “preferably within the same complex, adjacent to the competition venue” must be available.

However, the warm-up track, which was used in 2021 when the same stadium hosted the Olympic Games, was destroyed leaving organisers to renovate another facility 2km away, which will be used as the warm-up track.

Forbes also confirmed that two-time World Championships 400m hurdles medal winner Rushell Clayton had pulled out of the championship due to an injury but had no answers for the Thomas-Dodd mystery.

“We can confirm that Ms Rushell Clayton has been withdrawn due to injury. Based on logistical issues it will not be possible for (alternate) Ms (Sanique) Walker to compete,” Forbes shared before turning his attention to Thomas-Dodd.

“I wish I knew. We got a communication from her, which stated that she was withdrawing … could have been for personal reasons but we are not aware what these reasons are,” he said.

National shot-putter record holder Danniel Thomas-Dodd