World Athletics rejects 11 applicants from representing Turkey at 2028 Olympics

World Athletics has rejected all 11 applications from athletes to switch allegiance to Türkiye ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The affected athletes include stars from Kenya, Jamaica, Nigeria and Russia.

Kenya, has the highest number of the 11 athletes with five in all, followed by Jamaica with four with one each for Nigeria and Russia.

The Kenyan athletes are Brigid Kosgei, Ronald Kwemoi, Catherine Amanang'ole, Brian Kibor and Nelvin Jepkemboi.

From Jamaica, those whose requests were rejected by World Athletics were, Rojé Stona, Rajindra Campbell, Jaydon Hibbert and Wayne Pinnock

Favour Ofili of Nigeria and Russian Sophia Yakushina, were also denied the opportunity to represent Turkey.

The governing body ruled that such switches would undermine the credibility of national competitions, meaning none of these athletes can represent Türkiye at events like the World Championships or Olympic Games.