Drugs-charge sprinter set for Tokyo Olympics

A LEADING sprinter has been included in the Ireland athletics squad for the Tokyo Olympics – despite facing a drugs charge.

Leon Reid, 26, right, is currently on bail after pleading not guilty to drugs and firearms charges relating to Bath between March and June last year.

His case is due for mention on July 23, the day the Olympics in Japan is due to begin.

Reid was among Athletics Ireland’s nominees for the squad and that has been ratified by Irish Olympic bosses.

He appeared at Bristol Crown Court via video-link with 17 other defendants on June 2, when he denied eight charges which included allowing crack cocaine to be produced at a premises and having a Glock pistol in his possession.

The athlete was bailed at an initial hearing on March 31 and on June 2 Judge Michael Longman adjourned the case.

There is a mention hearing to check case progression scheduled for July 23, the day that the Olympic Games are scheduled to start in Japan, with a trial date set for November 29.

Reid’s name was a notable omission in an email sent by Athletics Ireland [AAI] to Irish athletes last Tuesday, the BBC reports.

However a subsequent AAI email the next day added the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist to the list.

He had advanced his claims for Olympic Games selection with a dominant 200m win at the Irish Championships on June 27.

English-based Reid, who had to self isolate for 10 days to be able to race at Santry, held off his main Irish domestic rival Marcus Lawler, who could only finish third, by clocking a season’s best of 20.79 seconds.