The World Athletics Nationality Review Panel has refused the applications of 11 athletes seeking to transfer their sporting allegiance to Türkiye. The decision was announced on April 17, 2026, following a meeting of the panel.
The athletes whose applications were denied include Catherine Relin (Selin Can) Amanang'ole of Kenya and Rajindra Campbell of Jamaica. The full list of athletes was not immediately disclosed by the governing body. The panel reviews such transfers under strict eligibility criteria designed to protect the integrity of international competition.
World Athletics has tightened its rules on nationality transfers in recent years to prevent 'country shopping' and ensure transfers are in the athletes' genuine best interests. A transfer of allegiance allows an athlete to represent a new country in international competition after meeting specific residency and other requirements.
The Turkish Athletic Federation has not issued an immediate public statement regarding the panel's decision. The athletes involved retain the right to represent their current countries of allegiance in competition unless they submit a new, successful application in the future.
