World Athletics has rejected 11 athlete transfer requests to Turkey, citing concerns over a coordinated recruitment strategy linked to the Turkish government. Among those affected are five Kenyan athletes, including former women’s marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei, and four Jamaican competitors.
The governing body’s panel determined that approving these applications would undermine the integrity of eligibility and transfer of allegiance rules. These regulations are designed to ensure a genuine connection between athletes and the nations they represent. The rules were tightened in 2017 under World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, who described some instances of athletes switching nationality as bordering on human trafficking.
Turkey’s recruitment efforts have drawn attention in recent years. At the 2016 Olympics, the Turkish team included several athletes from Kenya and two from Jamaica. In 2017, Ramon Guliyev secured gold in the 200 metres after changing allegiance from Azerbaijan. Financial incentives have also been used by other nations, such as Qatar, to attract foreign athletes.
The decision highlights ongoing tensions between national sporting ambitions and the integrity of international competition. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of current regulations in preventing state-backed athlete transfers. With high-profile athletes involved, the case is likely to fuel further debate on how to balance fair competition with the rights of athletes to pursue opportunities abroad.
