Commonwealth Games sprinter banned after flat was used as crack cocaine factory
Leon Reid – an Olympic semi-finalist and former Commonwealth Games medallist – has been banned from the Commonwealth Games later this month.
The organising committee has denied the Irish sprinter entry into the competition following a security risk. In February, Reid was found guilty of allowing his flat to be used to produce crack cocaine.
The 27-year-old was handed a suspended sentence by Bristol Crown Court, and he was ordered to do 220 hours of unpaid work. Athletics Ireland said in May that it would continue to consider him for selection, and he was picked for the 200m – Ireland are now looking to appeal.
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Reid, who was born in Bath, won a 200m silver medal at the European Junior Championships in 2013 when competing for Great Britain.
However, he later opted to swap national allegiances to Northern Ireland and Ireland. It was for the Emerald Isle that Reid achieved his best results: a bronze medal, for Northern Ireland, at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and an Irish Championship in the 200m.
Reid was also in Tokyo last summer, and he reached the semi-finals of the 200m.
A statement read: "[We are] disappointed to confirm that track athlete Leon Reid has been denied entry to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games following a security risk assessment.
"Leon had been selected by CGNI and had been entered into the 200m event prior to the 29th of June deadline.
"Notification was subsequently received from the Birmingham 2022 organising committee that he would not be allowed to participate.
"Commonwealth Games NI is currently seeking clarity on any potential appeal mechanism, and the athlete has been offered well-being support as he deals with this news."
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