World Athletics rejects bids by five Kenyan athletes to represent Türkiye

A collage of the five Kenyan athletes: From Top Left: Brigid Kosgei, Ronald Kwemoi, Catherine Relin Amanang'ole, Brian Kibor and Nelvin Jepkemboi./FILE

World Athletics has rejected applications by several top Kenyan athletes seeking to switch allegiance to Türkiye, citing concerns over the integrity of international competition and coordinated recruitment practices.

In a statement issued on April 16, the governing body’s Nationality Review Panel said it had declined 11 applications to transfer allegiance, including those of prominent Kenyan runners.

The five athletes feature former women’s marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei alongside former 5000m world silver medallist Ronald Kwemoi.

Others affected include athletes from Jamaica, Nigeria, Russia and other countries who had also applied to represent Türkiye.

The panel said the applications were rejected after it emerged they were part of what it described as a coordinated recruitment strategy led by the Turkish government through a state-backed athletics club.

The initiative allegedly sought to attract elite foreign athletes using lucrative contracts, with the aim of enabling them to compete for Türkiye at major global events.

According to the panel, approving such transfers would undermine the core principles guiding eligibility and nationality changes in athletics.

“The panel considered that approval of these applications would impinge upon and compromise the imperatives underlying the World Athletics eligibility rules and transfer of allegiance regulations,” the statement said.

It added that the regulations are designed to safeguard the credibility of international competitions, encourage countries to invest in developing local talent, and maintain fairness among athletes.

The review body further noted that the applications shared common features, prompting a collective assessment.

It concluded that the approach taken in the applications was inconsistent with the spirit of the rules governing nationality transfers.

As a result of the decision, the affected athletes will not be eligible to represent Türkiye in international competitions, including global championships and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

However, World Athletics clarified that the ruling does not prevent the athletes from competing in other capacities.

They remain free to participate in one-day meetings, road races, or club competitions and can continue to live and train in Türkiye if they choose.

The decision highlights growing scrutiny over the transfer of allegiance in athletics, particularly in cases where financial incentives are perceived to influence nationality changes.

World Athletics rules stipulate that while citizenship is a prerequisite, athletes must also demonstrate a genuine link to the country they wish to represent.

These measures are intended to prevent what critics describe as the “buying” of athletes and to protect the integrity of national representation.

The Nationality Review Panel, which is tasked with determining such applications, said it would continue to apply the regulations strictly to ensure fairness and credibility in the sport.

The ruling is likely to have significant implications for Kenya and other athletics powerhouses, where athletes have in the past explored opportunities to switch allegiance in search of better financial support and training conditions.

For Kenya, the decision comes amid ongoing debate over athlete welfare and the need to retain top talent within the country’s athletics system.