Rajindra Campbell Explains His Switch from Jamaica to Turkey

Rajindra Campbell’s Bold Move: From Jamaica to Turkey 

Campbell’s Allegiance Shift Sparks Debate

Rajindra Campbell, a decorated Jamaican Olympic shot putter, recently made headlines by announcing his transfer of athletic allegiance from Jamaica to Turkey.¹

A bronze medalist in the shot put at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Campbell’s decision sparked widespread discussion across the global athletics community—especially in Jamaica, a country with deep-rooted pride in its sporting heroes.

Campbell is not alone. Along with him, three other Jamaican athletes—Jaydon Hibbert, Roje Stona, and Wayne Pinnock—have also applied to compete for Turkey in the future.

These moves echo those of former Jamaican sprinters Jak Ali Harvey and Emre Zafer Barnes, who made similar switches back in 2015. Harvey went on to win silver in the 100m at the 2016 European Championships for Turkey, setting a precedent for others to follow.

The Breaking Point: Why Campbell Chose to Leave

In a revealing interview, Campbell laid bare the motivation behind his decision to represent another nation. At the heart of the issue is the lack of support from the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).

Despite being a world-class athlete, Campbell remains unsponsored and has faced continuous struggles trying to secure the kind of support that athletes in his position typically receive in other nations.

“I had a chance to leave Jamaica in 2024, but I stayed because I felt loyal,” he explained. “But that loyalty didn’t bring any rewards—no support, no encouragement. It was like shouting into a void.”

He highlighted how his attempts to get help from the federation—through emails and calls—were met with silence.

The repeated neglect from the JAAA left Campbell feeling abandoned, particularly when it came to addressing injury recovery and sponsorship challenges.

Rajindra Campbell: The Adidas Deal

A Lost Opportunity for Jamaican Athletics

Perhaps the most significant missed opportunity, according to Campbell, was the failed Adidas sponsorship deal.²

Campbell criticized the JAAA’s refusal to sign a contract that could have been transformative for the athletes involved.

“The Adidas contract that the JAAA refused to sign—it would have made Track Jamaica 100 times better,” Campbell said. “There were bonuses designed to benefit the athletes directly, not the federation. The funds would have gone to us, not through them.”

By rejecting the deal, the federation allegedly blocked access to equipment, training facilities, and performance bonuses that would have lifted both individual athletes and the Jamaican track and field program as a whole.

This move, Campbell believes, is part of a pattern of decision-making that has held back many non-sprinter athletes in Jamaica.

Beyond Sprinting: The Struggles of Field Athletes in Jamaica

Jamaica is globally revered for its sprinters—Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Yohan Blake are household names. However, for field athletes like Campbell, it’s a different story.

“We are not sprinters,” Campbell stated bluntly. “Track and field in Jamaica is seen through a very narrow lens. If you’re not running 100 meters in under 10 seconds, you don’t get the attention or support.”

This disparity in treatment leaves field athletes like Campbell to fend for themselves—without sponsorship, without injury support, and without consistent development opportunities.

His frustrations are echoed by many in the Jamaican sporting community who feel that too much emphasis is placed on a select group of disciplines.

Athlete Welfare: “They Don’t Care About Us”

In his most pointed criticism, Campbell claimed that the JAAA simply doesn’t prioritize athlete welfare.

“They don’t care about us,” he said. “So I decided, this year I’m doing it for me.”

This statement reflects a broader sentiment among athletes who feel they are only celebrated when they are winning medals or making headlines.

Once the cameras are off, the attention fades—and so does the support. Campbell shared that in 2022, while dealing with a serious injury, there was no assistance or even communication from the federation.

It was a pivotal year for him. Struggling physically and emotionally, Campbell was left to manage his recovery on his own. That isolation made him reevaluate his future—and eventually led to his decision to move on from Jamaica.

Rajindra Campbell: Critics Respond

“Unpatriotic” or “Justified” Decision?

Predictably, Campbell’s announcement stirred controversy back home. Critics accused him of being unpatriotic and turning his back on his country.³

But Campbell hit back, asserting that very few people understand the depth of sacrifice athletes make.

“It’s easy to criticize when you’re not the one putting in the work, facing the injuries, and still not being recognized,” he said. “People don’t see what goes on behind the scenes.”

Many fans, however, have rallied to his defense—arguing that athletes have every right to make decisions that best suit their careers and futures.

For them, Campbell’s move symbolizes a stand against a broken system that repeatedly fails those it claims to support.

The Growing Trend: Why More Jamaicans Are Switching Allegiance

Campbell isn’t the only athlete feeling frustrated. Jaydon Hibbert, Roje Stona, and Wayne Pinnock—each of them top-tier talents—have made similar decisions to switch allegiance.

Whether it’s the allure of better training environments, financial security, or simply respect and support, the trend is clear: Jamaica is losing talent because its system is not evolving.

Countries like Turkey are stepping in with open arms—offering attractive packages, long-term athletic development programs, and guaranteed international exposure. For many Jamaican athletes, it’s a lifeline.

Transfer Fees and Athlete Exploitation: Who Really Benefits?

Campbell also raised concerns about transfer fees, stating that they rarely benefit the athletes themselves.

“There’s talk of implementing transfer fees for athletes who switch countries. But where does that money go? Not to the athletes. It’s just another way for federations to profit while we continue to struggle,” he said.

He called for greater transparency and a fairer system that empowers athletes rather than treating them as commodities. For Campbell, the decision to switch allegiance wasn’t about money—it was about dignity, growth, and being taken seriously.

What This Means for Jamaican Athletics

Campbell’s departure—and that of others—should serve as a wake-up call for the Jamaican athletics establishment.

Without immediate reform, the country risks not only losing top talent but also its international reputation as a powerhouse in track and field.

Investing in athletes across disciplines, not just sprinting, must become a priority. Developing better support systems, embracing corporate partnerships, and listening to athletes’ concerns could help prevent future losses.