President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Garth Gayle, said they did not block the move by four Jamaicans to switch allegiance to Turkiye in a press release on Thursday.

Earlier that day the Sebastian Coe-led World Athletics through the Nationality Review Panel threw out the application of 11 athletes including the four Jamaicans Roje Stona,  Wayne Pinnock, Jaydon Hibbert, and Rajindra Campbell to represent Turkiye.

Stona had won gold at the 2024 Olympic Games in the discus and is the National record holder. Campbell won bronze at the same Olympics in the shot put while Pinnock won silver at the 2023 World Championship and 2024 Olympic Games in the long jump. Hibbert is the World Under-20 Triple Jump record holder

“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,” said Gayle in the press release.

“We respect the authority and mandate of World Athletics to safeguard the integrity of international competition,” he added.

Gayle continued: “At the same time, the JAAA remains steadfast in its commitment to the welfare, development, and advancement of all Jamaican athletes. Our core responsibility is to nurture and support local talent, ensuring that our athletes are provided with the opportunities, resources, and environment necessary to excel at the highest level”.

“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. This matter subsequently gained widespread public attention. The Association later received formal correspondence from the Turkish Athletics Federation in July 2025 confirming the applications,” he explained.

“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 longstanding approach, as there have been previous instances of athletes seeking transfers, and the Association has consistently respected the established international processes governing such requests,” Gayle pointed out.

“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,” he added.

Gayle said the JAAA will continue to act in the best interests of the sport and all its stakeholders and will continue to act in the best interests of the sport and all its stakeholders, guided by principles of transparency, fairness, and athlete-centred development.