Brigid Kosgei to Reportedly Switch From Kenya to Turkey Ahead of 2028 Olympics

Brigid Kosgei, one of the most successful marathon runners of her generation, is reportedly in the process of switching her sporting allegiance from Kenya to Turkey ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The reports, first shared on social media and later confirmed by Kenyan journalists Lynne Wachira and Michelle Katami, say Kosgei is part of a group of Kenyan athletes whose names appeared in a now-deleted post by the Turkish Athletics Federation outlining a provisional Olympic roster.

Neither Kosgei nor Athletics Kenya has publicly confirmed the move. But the reports have sent shockwaves through the distance running world, given Kosgei’s status and history in the sport.

A decorated career with Kenya

Kosgei, 31, broke the women’s marathon world record at the 2019 Chicago Marathon, running 2:14:04 to shatter Paula Radcliffe’s long-standing mark. She held the record for several years and remains the fifth-fastest woman in history.

She is a two-time winner of both the Chicago and London Marathons, a Tokyo Marathon champion, and an Olympic silver medalist from the Tokyo Games, where the women’s marathon was run in extreme heat in Sapporo.

Last year, Kosgei showed signs of a resurgence. She finished second at the Sydney Marathon in 2:18:56, then closed the season with a 2:16:36 victory at the Shanghai Marathon. That win was her fastest marathon since 2022 and her first marathon victory since 2023.

Kosgei is scheduled to race the Tokyo Marathon this March.

She was originally named to Kenya’s Olympic team for the Paris Games in 2024 but was later replaced due to injury. Sharon Lokedi took her place and finished fourth.

Kenyan and Jamaican athletes reportedly included

According to multiple reports, Kosgei is one of five Kenyan athletes linked to the potential switch. The others named are Ronald Kwemoi, the Olympic silver medalist in the 5,000 meters; Catherine Amanang’ole, the reigning Abu Dhabi Marathon champion; Brian Kibor; and Nelvin Jepkemboi.

A since-deleted Turkish federation post reportedly listed 11 naturalized athletes as part of a broader 53-member Olympic strategy.

Turkey has already been linked with high-profile athletes from other countries. Last year, Jamaican stars Rojé Stona, Rajindra Campbell, Wayne Pinnock, and Jaydon Hibbert began the process of switching allegiances.

Stona won Olympic gold in the discus in Paris, breaking the Olympic record and delivering Jamaica’s first-ever gold in the event. Campbell won bronze in the shot put, Pinnock took silver in the long jump, and Hibbert has been one of the world’s top young triple jumpers.

In previous interviews, the Jamaican athletes cited a lack of financial support at home, particularly for field events, which they said were often overshadowed by sprinting.

Financial incentives and eligibility rules

Reports have suggested Turkey has offered substantial financial packages to attract elite athletes. These reportedly include a $500,000 signing bonus, monthly stipends, and bonuses of up to $380,000 for an Olympic gold medal, with an additional $190,000 for setting an Olympic record.

World Athletics rules state that athletes who change nationality must observe a three-year waiting period before representing their new country in international competition, unless special exemptions are granted.

That timeline would still allow athletes switching now to compete for Turkey at the 2028 Games, if approved.

Turkey’s track record in athletics

Turkey has won only two Olympic medals in track and field, both bronze: Ruhi Sarıalp in the triple jump in 1948 and Yasmani Copello in the 400-meter hurdles.

The country’s athletics history has also been marked by controversy.

Four Olympic medals have been stripped due to doping violations, including Elvan Abeylegesse’s 2008 silver medals in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, and the gold and silver from the women’s 1,500 meters at the 2012 London Games, a race later described as one of the most doping-tainted finals in Olympic history.

If confirmed, Kosgei’s move would represent one of the most significant nationality switches in modern distance running, and a major loss for Kenya, long considered the global powerhouse in the marathon.

It would also underscore the growing trend of athlete migration driven by funding, support structures, and Olympic opportunity, a debate that continues to reshape the international athletics landscape ahead of Los Angeles in 2028.