Commonwealth Games: Northern Ireland sprinter Leon Reid banned from Birmingham after being deemed a 'security risk'

Leon Reid in action for Ireland at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo / Getty

Northern Ireland sprinter Leon Reid, who allowed his home to be used to produce crack cocaine, has been banned from this summer's Commonwealth Games following a security risk assessment.

The 200 metres bronze medallist from the last Games in Australia was denied entry to Birmingham 2022 almost five months after being handed a suspended sentence and ordered to do 220 hours of unpaid work for his role in an illegal drugs operation.

The 27-year-old had been named in Northern Ireland's team for this summer's Games, despite his conviction.

But, in a statement on Tuesday, 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".

"Leon had been selected by CGNI and had been entered into the 200m event prior to the June 29 deadline," added the statement.

"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."

Reid one of 18 men charged with drugs and firearms offences, all of which he denied

Reid, who was born in Bath and represented Great Britain before defecting to the Republic of Ireland in 2018, was picked by Athletics Ireland for last year's Olympics while he was awaiting trial, reaching the semi-finals of the 200m.

He was one of 18 men charged last year with drugs and firearms offences, all of which he denied.

He was convicted of allowing his flat in Bath to be used to produce cocaine and for receiving payment, which text messages showed amounted to £500 (NZ$971) a month.

He was found not guilty of concealing criminal property and of three firearms offences, which all related to items seized from his flat.

After winning his Commonwealth Games medal in April 2018 – Northern Ireland's first in athletics for 28 years – Reid reached the 200m final at the European Championships later that year in his first international appearance for Ireland.