Howard Walker / Our Today / Author
Jamaica’s 2024 Olympic long jump silver medallist Wayne Pinnock confirmed his intention to switch allegiance to Turkey for financial gains, declaring that there is “life after track”.
The 24-year-old Pinnock, who won the long jump at the London Diamond League on Saturday with a leap of 8.20m, said he still loves Jamaica.
“I’m doing this for my family. You know, there’s a life after track, and I feel like we don’t really have a lot in the sport,” said Pinnock.
“So, if we could make as much as possible, I mean, I just gotta do it. I mean, I love my country. Loyalty don’t pay bills, as you all know,” he added.
Unconfirmed reports are that Pinnock would receive US$500,000 (J$80m) to make the switch to Turkey with added bonuses, depending on performance.
He, along with Olympic discus champion Roje Stona, Olympic shot put bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell and promising triple jumper Jaydon Hibbert, the World Under-20 record holder, are seeking to switch allegiance.
“I’m just grateful that God gave me this opportunity, and I feel like if I had turned down this opportunity, I would have regretted it,” said Pinnock.
Having broken the Boys’ Champs 110 hurdles and log jump record in 2019 while at Kingston College, Pinnock went on and won the collegiate long jump double in 2022, winning the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor titles and making his first senior Jamaican team.
Pinnock reiterated that Jamaica need to do better with the athletes because if he is to get injured right now, he would have to dip into his own pocket.
“So, if I could get the opportunity where someone will look out for me, you know, because I’ve been doing good for my country, and honestly, I never got an email from no one saying congrats before. Not even an email,” he pointed out.
