Jamaica has long reigned as a dominant force in track and field, especially in sprints and relays. However, a recent wave of surprises has sent shockwaves through the athletics world. Some of Jamaica’s top field event athletes—Rajindra Campbell, Roje Stona, Jaydon Hibbert, and Wayne Pinnock—have all switched allegiances to compete for Turkey. So, is this really the end of Jamaica’s field events?
This move has left fans in disbelief and raised serious questions about the future of Jamaican athletics. With major events like the Tokyo World Championship and Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon, the departure of these athletes could have a lasting impact on Jamaica’s track and field legacy.
So, is this the end for Jamaica’s field events? Let’s dive into what this all means.
Jamaican Athletes Change Allegiance
This video explores the shocking decision of top Jamaican field event athletes—Rajindra Campbell, Roje Stona, Jaydon Hibbert, and Wayne Pinnock—to switch allegiance to Turkey, raising concerns about Jamaica’s dominance in track and field. It examines how financial opportunities and limited recognition in field events led to this move, just as Jamaica had begun excelling beyond sprints. With the Tokyo World Championship and Paris Olympics ahead, the video questions if this marks the end for Jamaica’s field events while emphasizing the nation’s resilience and hope for the future of its athletics legacy.
Track and field as a sport often revolves around the sprints, hurdles, and distance events, which attract the majority of global attention and viewership. The 100-meter race, often called the race to crown the world’s fastest man or woman, is one of the most anticipated events. However, field events—such as the long jump, shot put, discus throw, and triple jump—do not receive the same level of exposure or airtime.
This lack of recognition can lead to financial struggles for athletes who may not earn as much from endorsements or sponsorships. While some athletes remain loyal to their countries, others, like those mentioned, may enticed by better financial opportunities abroad. The allure of higher earnings and career longevity is hard to resist, especially when the sport itself doesn’t offer the same kind of financial rewards as other, more popular events.
Jamaica’s Rise In The Field Events
Jamaica is internationally known as the “Sprinting Capital” thanks to its domination in sprint events during the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2009 Berlin World Championship. However, over the years, the nation has also shown great potential in field events.
At the 2015 Beijing World Championships, Jamaican athlete Odane Richards earned a bronze medal in the shot put.
Fast forward to the 2019 Doha World Championships, and Jamaica’s athletes—Tajay Gayle (gold in long jump), Danniel Thomas-Dodd (silver in shot put), Shanieka Ricketts (silver in triple jump), and Federick Dacres (silver in discus throw)—demonstrated Jamaica’s growing strength in field events, making history by winning medals in events beyond sprints.
However, despite these successes, the Jamaican federation didn’t fully capitalize on the momentum in field events, which ultimately led to a missed opportunity in future competitions.
A Surprising Turn Of Events
The 2024 Paris Olympics saw Jamaica struggle, securing just six medals—four of which came from field events. Roje Stona won gold in the discus throw, Shanieka Ricketts earned silver in the triple jump, Wayne Pinnock took silver in the long jump, and Rajindra Campbell claimed bronze in the shot put. This marked the first time that Jamaica’s field event athletes outperformed their track counterparts at a major championship.
Just as the 2025 Jamaica National Championship was shaping up to be fiercely competitive, another shockwave hit the Jamaican athletics scene—Roje Stona, Rajindra Campbell, Wayne Pinnock, and Jaydon Hibbert announced that they were switching allegiances to Turkey. This shift is particularly impactful as these athletes are expected to earn at least 500,000 USD and will be eligible to compete for Turkey in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Road Ahead For Jamaica
With the departure of these top athletes, Jamaica faces a tough road ahead. Many of the country’s athletes have not shown the same level of performance compared to their global counterparts, especially with the Tokyo World Championship just around the corner. This marks a significant turning point for the nation’s track and field future.
However, if there’s one thing Jamaica is known for, it’s resilience. While this exodus may feel like a major setback, Jamaica’s track and field history is rich with examples of overcoming challenges and producing world-class athletes. The future of Jamaican athletics remains bright, with the potential for new athletes to rise to the occasion and carry on the legacy of greatness.
Say connected!
What do you think about the move of these top Jamaican field event athletes to Turkey? Do you believe Jamaica can recover from this shift, or is this the beginning of a new era for track and field? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear your perspective!
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