World Athletics Blocks Brigid Kosgei, Four Other Kenyans From Representing Turkey
World Athletics has rejected applications by five top Kenyan athletes—including former marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei—to represent Turkey in international competitions, citing violations of eligibility rules
Brigid Kosgei, the former women's marathon world record holder, will not be running for Turkey.
Neither will Ronald Kwemoi, the former world 5000m silver medallist, or three other Kenyan distance runners who had applied to switch their allegiance from Kenya to Turkey.
World Athletics rejected all five applications in April, ruling that approving them would violate eligibility rules and transfer of allegiance regulations. The decision, reported by the Daily Nation on April 17, marks the latest chapter in the ongoing debate over athlete migration and the drain of Kenyan talent to wealthier nations.
Who was blocked
The five athletes include: - **Brigid Kosgei**, who set the women's marathon world record of 2:14:04 in Chicago in 2019, a mark that stood until 2023. - **Ronald Kwemoi**, who won silver in the 5000m at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing. - **Catherine Relin Amanang'ole**, who won bronze in the half-marathon at the 2023 World Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia. - **Brian Kibor** and **Nelvin Jepkemboi**, both long-distance runners.
World Athletics' Nationality Review Panel noted that approving the transfers would run contrary to existing regulations, which are designed to prevent wealthy nations from simply "buying" athletic talent and to protect the integrity of national representation in the sport.
A growing trend
Kenya has long faced a talent drain as athletes seek better financial opportunities, less competition for national team spots, and more lucrative sponsorship deals abroad. Countries that have been key recipients of Kenyan runners include the US, Bahrain, Qatar, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Turkey, Israel, and Kazakhstan.
Some athletes who switched allegiance have gone on to win major titles. Norah Jeruto, who switched to Kazakhstan in January 2022, won gold at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene. Winfred Yavi, who took Bahraini citizenship in 2016 at age 15, won the 3000m steeplechase world title in Budapest in 2023.
But for every successful transfer, there are complications. Athletes must navigate waiting periods, risk losing years of competition, and sometimes face backlash from fans and officials back home.
Why it matters to the diaspora
For Kenyans abroad, the blocked transfers carry symbolic weight. Many in the diaspora are themselves navigating questions of identity, citizenship, and belonging—whether to stay, return, or redefine what "home" means. The athletes' pursuit of better opportunities mirrors the choices diaspora Kenyans make every day.
At the same time, the decision to block the transfers has been welcomed by some who argue that Kenya should do more to retain its talent. Experts say the challenge rests with Kenya to invest in local athletes so that they can establish themselves economically without having to move abroad to do so.
For now, Brigid Kosgei and the others remain Kenyan—at least on paper. What happens next in their careers is still an open question.
Reporting drawn from Daily Nation, The Conversation.
