Justin Gatlin has weighed in on Jamaican Olympic medalists Roje Stona and Rajindra Campbell’s controversial move, which has stunned the athletics world by switching their allegiance to Turkey.
Both athletes, who earned medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics—Stona with gold in discus and Campbell with bronze in shot put—accepted lucrative offers from the Turkish Athletics Federation.
Reports indicate the deal includes $500,000 signing bonuses, monthly stipends of $30,000, and performance-based bonuses up to $1 million. Justin Gatlin has weighed in on this controversial move, offering insight into the financial realities athletes face.
However, this decision bars them from representing Jamaica at major competitions like the World Athletics Championships and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics for at least three years.
Their move is part of a growing trend, with other Jamaican field athletes reportedly considering similar switches to Turkey, attracted by better financial security and long-term contracts.
Financial Realities Behind Athlete Nationality Switches
Justin Gatlin, a former Olympic and World Champion sprinter, offers a candid explanation for these choices.
Responding to the news, Gatlin wrote on Instagram, “Money talks + one career = Opportunity.” He emphasised that in a sport where post-retirement financial security is almost non-existent, such offers are hard to ignore.
On his podcast Ready Set Go, Justin Gatlin further explained,
“A lot of spectators are probably wondering why is this person still running? They’re getting seventh and eighth and fifth and sixth and things like that.
Audience, you have to understand that, this is quick money. This is good money. They still may be having somewhat of a contract or base that they are getting paid seasonally, which is almost annually, that they get a lump sum of money that they get to train and practice.”
Additionally, Justin Gatlin, who retired in 2022 with five Olympic medals and four World Championship titles, knows firsthand the financial challenges athletes face after their competitive careers end.
“And, to be honest, I am half and half on it, rightfully so, because first of all, we get no retirement fund, we get no 401K, we get no pension, we get none of that,” he said. “So, go ahead and keep making your money until you get your pockets where you need to be or they close the door on you as a sport, period.”
Justin Gatlin: The Urgent Need for Athlete Support Systems
Meanwhile, Justin Gatlin’s insights highlight the harsh economic realities that drive athletes like Stona and Campbell to seek stability abroad. While some critics question their patriotism, Justin Gatlin reframes the issue as one of survival and financial necessity.
Turkey’s aggressive recruitment strategy aims to boost its Olympic medal prospects by offering financial incentives that smaller or resource-limited countries struggle to match. This trend raises important questions about athlete welfare, national sports policies, and the future of international competition.
For countries like Jamaica to retain their top talent, Justin Gatlin’s perspective underscores the urgent need to improve financial support, career planning, and post-retirement benefits.
How Nations Can Effectively Retain Their Athletic Talent and Secure Long-Term Sporting Success
Without these reforms, more athletes may follow Stona and Campbell’s path, reshaping the global athletics landscape.
