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Commonwealth Games organisers have banned Northern Ireland sprinter Leon Reid from the Birmingham Commonwealth Games as he is now considered a security risk.
The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games medallist was found guilty in February for allowing his flat to be used to produce crack cocaine.
BREAKING: Northern Irish sprinter Leon Reid has been prevented from competing at the Commonwealth Games after a security risk assessment was carried out by organisers
— Belfast Telegraph Sport (@BelTel_Sport) July 12, 2022
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He was given a suspended sentence and ordered to 220 hours of unpaid community work.
Reid was named to Northern Ireland’s team. Subsequently, he was denied placement by the Games organising committee.
A statement from Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland said it was “disappointed to confirm that track athlete Leon Reid has been denied entry to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games following a security risk assessment.”
Reid has run as fast as 10.30 in May of 2021. The 27-year-old took bronze at the 2018 Games in the 200m clocking a 20.55 finish time. He is a five-time national champion, four times in the 100m, and once in the 200m.
He was born in England English-Jamaican father. His mother is from Belfast, NI. Reid was adopted by a family from the Republic of Ireland. He identifies as Northern Irish.
Reid was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine in April 2021 by Bristol Crown Court, and is awaiting trial which is scheduled to take place in August 2021. For now, he will be watching the Games from home.
