Buying Gold: The Practice of Purchasing Athletic Allegiances

Turkey, a nation not historically known for its distance-running prowess, made a remarkable showing at December's European Cross Country Championships in Samorin, Slovakia. The Turkish men's team took home the gold, while its women's team placed third. Turkish athletes Kaan Kigen Ozbilen and Yasemin Can won their races to take home individual gold medals. How does one explain this sudden explosion of distance-running ability from a nation better known for producing world-class soccer players? Simply put, Turkey purchased the talents of the athletes, who were born in Kenya....