What happens when the country you gave everything to… no longer feels like it’s giving back? That’s the quiet question echoing today as Olympic gold medalist Roje Stona and bronze medalist Rajindra Campbell are reportedly saying goodbye to Jamaica, and yes, to Turkey.

Well, in an unexpected move, the two track and field stars are allegedly switching national allegiance, with one more unnamed Jamaican athlete also rumored to follow. The deal? A reported $500,000 signing bonus, monthly stipends, and more, backed by Turkey’s push to build a super team ahead of the 2028 LA Olympics. But not everyone’s ready to call it official.

JAAA President Garth Gayle is holding the line, calling the reports “allegations” and claiming no documents have crossed his desk. Yet, on the other side of the world, a Turkish Sports Ministry official confirmed that talks are very real. And let’s be honest—Stona’s name is already missing from Jamaica’s National Championship list, while Campbell is still scheduled to compete. The clock is ticking, too: World Athletics rules require a three-year wait after changing nations unless both countries agree to fast-track it. This isn’t the first time Jamaican talent has packed their bags.

Merlene Ottey famously ran for Slovenia, Jak Ali Harvey chose Turkey in 2015, and others like Andrew Fisher have made similar moves. But the question hits harder now: How do you keep your track and field champions when other countries are offering more than medals, offering futures? The flag may be stitched on the uniform, but for some, home is where the support is. And what do Roje Stona and Rajindra Campbell have to say about it? Word is, two more athletes might soon follow in their footsteps.

Why Jamaica’s Olympic track and field heroes chose Turkey

At the Paris Olympics, Roje Stona and Rajindra Campbell didn’t just win medals,  they made history. Stona’s gold in the men’s discus, marked by a stunning 70.00m throw, crowned him Jamaica’s first-ever Olympic field champion. Campbell followed with a bronze in shot put, later setting a national record at 22.31m. For a moment, Jamaica believed it had opened a new chapter,  a golden age of field dominance. But just months later, that dream unraveled. As of Thursday, both track and field athletes missed the official paperwork deadline to remain with Jamaica. It’s now confirmed: Stona and Campbell have switched allegiance to Turkey.

The decision, though heartbreaking to fans, didn’t come out of nowhere. Both athletes had long hinted at discontent. “We don’t feel the appreciation coming out of Jamaica,” Campbell admitted in a raw 2024 Out D Blocks interview. Stona had voiced the same frustration earlier: “The track gets a lot of attention, but the field events have been on the rise, we should get more support.” Their words trended across social media, but little changed back home. As Campbell later put it, “The same success we have on the track, we can have in the field… but field athletes don’t get that same support.” With no funding, no follow-up, and no future mapped out, they chose opportunity.

Now, Jaydon Hibbert, the NCAA and Jamaican triple jump sensation, is reportedly next to follow, with Olympic silver medallist Wayne Pinnock not far behind. Behind the scenes, an American agent known for major international transfers led negotiations. Turkey’s federation put forward a massive package, including $500,000 signing bonuses, monthly stipends, full-time coaches, visas for family, and performance-based incentives. For athletes juggling side jobs and fundraising just to afford basic training and physio, it wasn’t a luxury; it was survival. As one track and field fan said after the news broke: “Jamaicans will never forget today.” And not because they left, but because they felt they had to.