World Athletics Bars Turkey’s Athlete‑Poaching Drive, Citing National Loyalty

The decision arrives as Turkey intensifies efforts to attract elite talent ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. President Sebastian Coe told reporters the federation will stay "tough" on any move that appears driven solely by financial incentives.

Coe emphasized a simple principle: an athlete’s career should begin and end under the same national flag. He noted that global championships only retain meaning when competitors represent their home federations, not a series of opportunistic switches.

A World Athletics panel reviewed each case and denied bids from Jamaican discus champion Roje Stona, Kenyan marathon record‑holder Brigid Kosgei, and nine other athletes who had received substantial offers from Turkey. The panel allowed exceptions only for genuine personal circumstances such as marriage or political persecution.

Turkey’s strategy targets medal‑rich nations, offering contracts that promise financial security and training resources. Coe warned that such practices could erode government investment in domestic talent programs, as federations may see their funding diverted abroad.

Botswana provides a contrasting example. Despite a downturn in the global diamond market—diamonds account for 30 % of the country’s GDP—its government continues to fund a robust athletics program. The approach has produced champions like 2024 Olympic 200 m winner Letsile Tebogo, who has turned down overtures from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia.

The broader implication is a potential shift in how nations approach athlete development. Countries that rely heavily on state funding may tighten eligibility rules, while wealthier federations could seek new pathways to attract talent, prompting further debate within World Athletics.

Watch for the upcoming World Athletics Relays in Botswana, where the federation’s policy will be tested against any new nationality‑switch requests and where the impact on medal projections for the 2028 Games will become clearer.