Daniel Ståhl's rival Roje Stona made history during the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 by taking Jamaica's first Olympic Games gold in a throwing event. In the same final, Ståhl finished seventh.
Now Stona is changing countries. The Olympic Games champion has, together with his Jamaican teammates Rajindra Campbell, Wayne Pinnock and Jaydon Hibbert, been lured over to compete for Turkey in the future, according to Jamaica Observer.
Campbell took Olympic Games bronze in shot put in Paris, Pinnock took Olympic Games silver in long jump and Hibbert is considered a super talent in triple jump.
According to Sportsmax, they will receive a transfer sum of 4.7 million kronor each, a fixed monthly salary and bonuses based on results in upcoming competitions.
The transfer makes it complicated for the athletes to participate in major championships over the next three years. Representing Jamaica is not an option and it is still unclear when they will get clearance to represent Turkey. The long-term plan from Turkey's side is reportedly that the former Jamaicans will compete for the nation in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028.
In Jamaica, the news struck like a bolt from a clear sky. The association has called an emergency meeting.
We have not seen any documentation and only view it as allegations, says the chairman of the Jamaican athletics association, Garth Gayle, to Jamaica Gleaner.
The next championship is the World Championship in Tokyo in September.
