KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a stunning development that continues to send tremors through the island’s sporting community, Jaydon Hibbert, Jamaica’s world-record-holding triple jump sensation, is now the third elite Jamaican athlete confirmed to be switching allegiance to Turkey, following Olympic throwers Roje Stona and Rajindra Campbell.
At just 20 years old, Hibbert has already etched his name in track and field history. He holds the World U20 record in the triple jump (17.87m), secured gold at the 2023 NCAA Championships, and narrowly missed the podium at the Paris Olympics, finishing fourth with a leap of 17.61m.
Hibbert’s departure means he will be ineligible to represent Jamaica for the next three years, sidelining him from global events such as this year’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The rule, set by World Athletics, stipulates a mandatory three-year wait for athletes switching national allegiance unless waived by both countries and the IOC.
Golden duo Stona and Campbell already committed
Hibbert now joins illustrious company in his switch. Roje Stona, who made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics as Jamaica’s first-ever Olympic champion in a throwing event (discus), and Rajindra Campbell, who captured bronze in the men’s shot put, have reportedly already signed their agreements with Turkey.
The financial incentives behind these switches are nothing short of eye-watering. Each athlete is reportedly receiving a US$500,000 signing bonus, monthly stipends, and six-figure podium incentives — part of an aggressive recruitment drive by Turkey’s Sports Ministry aimed at bolstering its Olympic medal tally ahead of Los Angeles 2028.
A fourth Jamaican, Olympic and World Championship silver medallist Wayne Pinnock, is also rumored to be on Turkey’s radar, although his status has not yet been confirmed.
Turkey’s talent grab: A strategy years in the making
This is not the first time Turkey has drawn top talent from Jamaica’s deep athletics well. Sprinter Jak Ali Harvey, formerly known as Jacques Harvey, made headlines when he switched allegiance to Turkey in 2015. His move paved the way for a quiet, long-term strategy by the Turkish Athletics Federation to naturalize medal-ready athletes from elite programs around the world.
In a recent interview with TVJ’s Kayon Raynor, Onder Özbilən, a senior consultant with Türkiye’s Sports Ministry, confirmed that contact has been made with multiple athletes.
“Yes, we are in discussions,” Özbilən stated. “Our aim is to elevate our competitive profile on the global stage, and we have long admired Jamaica’s athletic talent.”
Özbilən had reassured that the approach did not include any sprinters.
JAAA in the dark or in denial?
While the international headlines scream defection, the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) appears blindsided — or perhaps unwilling to acknowledge the gravity of the situation.
When contacted for comment, JAAA President Garth Gayle issued a brief and somewhat dismissive response to the Gleaner: “As far as we’re concerned, these are just allegations being said in the public space. The JAAA has received no documentation, and that is all I will say on the matter.”
But with Stona conspicuously absent from the entry list for Jamaica’s upcoming National Championships, and with Campbell listed but unlikely to compete, the writing seems to be on the wall.
Time is running out. To compete at Los Angeles 2028, athletes must complete their transfers before the end of June to satisfy the three-year waiting period.
A history of talent drain
Jamaica is no stranger to high-profile allegiance switches. Among the most famous is Merlene Ottey, the sprint legend who moved to Slovenia in 2002 and represented the European nation for over a decade.
Others who have opted out of the Jamaican system include:
- Shericka Williams and Brandon Simpson (to Bahrain),
- Andrew Fisher and Kemarley Brown (also to Bahrain),
- And again, Jak Ali Harvey, the early trailblazer for Jamaicans in Turkey.
What separates the current wave from the past, however, is the scale, timing, and uniformity of the move — three elite male athletes in field events, all Olympic medalists, reportedly making the same leap in unison.
Beyond the podium: National reflection required
While fans may feel betrayed and officials may claim surprise, the deeper issue may lie within the structure and incentives of Jamaica’s own athletic program. If the athletes’ accounts are accurate, then their departure was not just for money, but for resources, recognition, and a clearer path to development.
These defections should prompt urgent reflection from the JAAA and Jamaican sporting authorities. Losing three globally ranked athletes in one fell swoop is not a mere coincidence — it is a symptom of something systemic.
Unless changes are made to support elite athletes — not just with pride and patriotism, but with real, tangible backing — Turkey may not be the last flag Jamaican stars choose to raise.
