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Ali
Kaya (R) from Kenya represents Turkey in cross country running. Getty Images
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Athletes are now banned
from changing nationalities following a proposal by the president of
the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Lord Coe,
who said athletics was "vulnerable" to the practice.
BBC
News report continues:
"It
has become abundantly clear with regular multiple transfers of athletes,
especially from Africa, that the present rules are no longer fit for
purpose," he said.
Kenyan
and Ethiopian athletes are likely to be most affected by a freeze on
nationality switches.
The
IAAF said it is reviewing current rules to ensure they offer sufficient
protection to athletes. The freeze takes effect immediately and will be in
place until at least the end of this year, but will not affect applications
that are already being processed.
Africa’s
representative at the IAAF Council, Hamad Malboub, said there exists a
wholesale market for talent from the continent that’s open to the highest
bidder.
Many
of the athletes are young and - the international body fears - they do not
understand they are forfeiting their nationality.
More than 20 Kenyan-born athletes represented other countries at the Rio Olympics last year.
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