Reid third in 200m final

MENAPIANS SPRINTER Leon Reid finished third in the 200m final at the recent British championships.

Reid (23) clocked 20.27 seconds in his heat to cut 0.11 off his previous best before running 20.31 in the final.

The Bath-based athlete is hoping to represent Ireland at next month’s European championships in Berlin.

Despite having won European medals for Britain at Junior and Under-23 level, he has applied to have his international allegiance switched to Ireland.

To date all efforts to transfer have been frustrated.

According to BBC: ‘His chances of competing for Ireland in Berlin now appear to hinge on a meeting of the IAAF council later this month which is expected to make a ruling on international transfers which were halted last year amid disquiet over the amount of mainly African athletes switching allegiance to other countries.’

Reid’s late mother was from Belfast. Following placement in a series of foster homes he was adopted by a family hailing from Enniscorthy.

Here’s hoping the IAAF dispenses with the obfuscation and allows Reid make the switch as soon as possible.

Pádraig Kelly of Menapians accepting the athlete of the month award for February from Paddy Morgan (Co. Chairman) on behalf of Leon Reid at the county championships last week.