Monaco — World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has said global track and field authorities will maintain strict rules on athletes switching national allegiance for financial gain, following attempts by Turkey to recruit top competitors from Jamaica and Kenya.
Speaking in remarks reported by Deutsche Welle, Coe emphasised that the integrity of international athletics depends on athletes representing the countries where their careers were developed.
The comments come after Turkey was linked to efforts to attract several high-profile athletes, including Jamaican discus thrower Roje Stona and Kenyan long-distance star Brigid Kosgei, a former women’s marathon world record holder.
Coe made it clear that such moves, when driven purely by financial incentives, would not be supported under existing regulations.
“Athletes should generally compete for the country where they started their careers,” Coe said, stressing that global championships rely on “genuine national competition.”
World Athletics has in recent years tightened eligibility rules for athletes seeking to change nationality, including mandatory waiting periods and stricter review processes. The measures are aimed at preventing what critics describe as the “buying” of athletic talent by wealthier federations.
While acknowledging that exceptions may be warranted, Coe said these should be limited to specific circumstances.
He noted that cases such as marriage or political persecution could justify a change in allegiance, but not situations where athletes are “simply being offered money” to switch countries.
The issue of nationality transfers has long been contentious in athletics, particularly as some countries seek to boost their medal prospects by recruiting established stars from other nations. Kenya and Jamaica, both dominant forces in track and field, have previously raised concerns about losing talent to wealthier federations.
Analysts say Coe’s stance signals a continued push to preserve fairness and national identity in global competitions such as the World Championships and the Olympic Games, where national representation remains a central pillar of the sport.