Kenya: Why World Athletics Rejected Bid By Kenyan Athletes to Change Nationality to Turkey
World Athletics blocks five elite Kenyan runners, including former marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei, from switching allegiance to Turkey.
World Athletics blocks five elite Kenyan runners, including former marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei, from switching allegiance to Turkey. | Contesto: cronaca
Punti chiave
- Kenya: Why World Athletics Rejected Bid By Kenyan Athletes to Change Nationality to Turkey
Contesto
World Athletics has formally rejected an application by five elite Kenyan athletes, including former marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei, to change their sporting nationality to Turkey. The decision, confirmed by the global governing body, halts a high-profile attempt by the runners to compete under a new flag. The ruling underscores the organization's tightening stance on nationality transfers, which have become a contentious issue in long-distance running. The other athletes involved in the blocked bid have not been publicly named, but the inclusion of a figure of Kosgei's stature highlights the significance of the case for both Kenyan athletics and the international sporting landscape. The rejection centers on adherence to World Athletics' updated transfer of allegiance rules, which were significantly tightened in 2022. Under the current regulations, athletes must demonstrate a "genuine connection" to their new country, typically through birth, marriage, or long-term residence. Furthermore, athletes are prohibited from representing a new nation in major championships, such as the World Athletics Championships or the Olympic Games, for a period of three years after the transfer is approved. Crucially, the rules also grant the athlete's former national federation a right of consultation and, in some cases, the power to impose a waiting period before the switch can be finalized. Kenya has long been a dominant force in middle and long-distance running, producing a deep pool of talent so vast that many athletes struggle to secure places on the national team or obtain lucrative sponsorship deals at home. This has created a well-established pipeline of runners seeking to represent other nations, particularly in the Gulf region and Turkey, where athletic federations have actively recruited top talent with financial incentives and the promise of easier paths to global competitions. For the athletes, a nationality change can offer immediate financial security, enhanced support systems, and a clearer route to competing on the world stage. For Turkey, attracting elite Kenyan runners has been a strategic component of its ambitions to become a powerhouse in...
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Categoria: cronaca