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‘A body blow to our countrymen’ - JOA, JAAA offer support to Jamaicans in lieu of WA decision
April 17, 2026
Both the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) and the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) have welcomed back the four athletes who had applied for a switch of allegiance to Turkiye. However, track and field's world governing body World Athletics announced yesterday that it had denied their applications.
Olympic discus champion and record holder Roje Stona, triple jump junior record holder Jaydon Hibbert, Olympic shot put bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell and long jumper Wayne Pinnock, the Olympic and World Championships' silver medallist all applied for a switch of allegiance to Turkiye.
The four athletes were part of a mass effort by the Turkish Athletics Federation to recruit 11 athletes, which also included Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili.
All 11 applications were denied on the basis that World Athletics believes the applications were against the spirit of their eligibility rules and their switch of allegiance regulations.
CORE PRINCIPLES
"Given the common features across the applications, the panel assessed them together and determined that such an approach is inconsistent with the core principles of the regulations.
"As a result of the decisions, the athletes are not eligible to represent Turkiye in national representative competitions or other relevant international events," the ruling from World Athletics stated.
JOA president Christopher Samuda said the World Athletics decision has come as a body blow to the four athletes.
He urged the Jamaican public to not judge the athletes for their decision to apply for a switch of allegiance, but to welcome them back with open arms.
"A body blow to our countrymen, but the canvass is not their lot in life," Samuda said.
"Turkiye clearly thought that the investment made would have reset rather than desecrate the ethical compass, but had not bargained that World Athletics would have laid down the 'ten' commandments in sport," he continued.
"But in judging our countrymen, let us remember the scriptural injunction: 'forgive and forget'," stated Samuda.
'VALUED MEMBERS'
The JAAA acknowledged the decision and said all four athletes still have a place in the Jamaican national ranks.
"The JAAA acknowledges the recent decision by World Athletics regarding the applications for transfer of allegiance submitted by Roje Stona, Wayne Pinnock, Jaydon Hibbert, and Rajindra Campbell," a statement from the local governing body said.
"To our athletes, we reaffirm that you remain valued members of the Jamaican track and field fraternity. Whether your path continues under the black, green, and gold, or evolves in a different direction, the JAAA stands ready to engage constructively and provide support where possible," the statement continued.
The JAAA also confirmed their role in the process and said they made no formal petitions for the applications to be blocked.
The administration maintained they followed the letter of the law and handled the situation according to World Athletics' protocols.
"We respect the authority and mandate of World Athletics to safeguard the integrity of international competition. At the same time, the JAAA remains steadfast in its commitment to the welfare, development, and advancement of all Jamaican athletes," the JAAA maintained.
"With respect to the timeline of events, the JAAA became aware in April 2025 - through public reports in the media - that four Jamaican athletes were seeking to transfer allegiance to another federation," the release continued.
"It is important to note that, historically, the JAAA has never submitted any petition to World Athletics to block athletes from transferring allegiance. This position reflects our long-standing approach, as there have been previous instances of athletes seeking transfers, and the Association has consistently respected the established international processes governing such requests."
As a part of their application process, Stona, Hibbert, Pinnock and Campbell did not compete at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships.
