KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association says World Athletics needs to take action in order to prevent more athletes from switching allegiances to cash rich countries.

Olympic discus throw gold medalist Roje Stona, Olympic long jump silver medalist Wayne Pinnock, Olympic shot put bronze medalist Rajindra Campbell and Olympic triple jump finalist Jaydon Hibbert are all expected to represent Turkey after receiving lucrative offers from the country’s government.

The four’s imminent departure is seen as a big loss to Jamaica’s athletics, especially being as the faces of the improving field event programme.

JAAA president Garth Gayle, speaking at Monday’s launch of the national senior championships, says he’s yet to have any communications with the athletes involved or representatives from Turkey.

While admitting he holds no grudges against the departing athletes, he says he intends to write to the world governing body to see how best the matter of can be addressed.

Gayle, though, says the JAAA will continue to support Jamaican athletes with the resources available to them and has called on corporate Jamaica to invest more in the sport.

The national senior championships will run from Thursday to Sunday at the National Stadium.

– Daniel Blake