World Athletics Rejects 11 Athletes' Allegiance Transfers to Turkey
World Athletics has denied 11 athletes' requests to transfer their allegiance to Turkey, citing a "coordinated recruitment strategy" by the Turkish government ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The decision was announced on Thursday, 16 April 2026, following a review by the World Athletics Nationality Review Panel.
Details of the Rejected Requests
The panel found that the applications were part of a systematic effort by Turkey to attract overseas athletes through lucrative contracts. The requests involved:
- Five Kenyan athletes, including former women's marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei.
- Four Jamaican athletes, such as Olympic discus gold medallist Roje Stona and Olympic shot put bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell.
- Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili, who finished sixth in the Paris 2024 Olympic 200m final and missed last year's World Championships due to administrative errors by the Nigerian government.
- Russian heptathlete Sophia Yakushina.
In a statement, World Athletics said: "The panel found that the applications formed part of a coordinated recruitment strategy led by the Turkey government acting through a wholly-owned and financed government club, to attract overseas athletes through lucrative contracts, with the aim of facilitating transfers of allegiance and enabling those athletes to represent Turkey at future international competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games."
Regulations and Integrity Concerns
World Athletics' transfer of allegiance regulations include strict criteria to ensure a genuine connection between athletes and their intended countries, protecting the sport's integrity, credibility, and global development. The rules were tightened in 2019, with World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe comparing some cases of young athletes switching allegiance to human trafficking.
This move aims to prevent nations from using financial incentives to build competitive teams without fostering genuine ties. For example, Turkey's team at the 2016 European Championships featured numerous athletes from other countries, including seven from Kenya and two from Jamaica. Similarly, Qatar has attracted foreign athletes like Egypt-born weightlifter Fares Ibrahim Hassouna, who won Qatar's first Olympic gold in Tokyo 2021.
Historical Context and Implications
Past cases highlight the impact of allegiance transfers. Ramil Guliyev, who switched from Azerbaijan to Turkey, won gold in the 200m at the 2017 World Championships. Winfred Yavi, who transferred from Kenya to Bahrain at age 15, went on to win Olympic and world gold medals in the 3,000 metres steeplechase.
Despite the rejection, World Athletics clarified that the 11 athletes can still compete in one-day meetings or road races in a personal or club capacity, and they are permitted to live and train in Turkey. This decision underscores the governing body's commitment to maintaining fair play and preventing exploitation in international sports.
