Latest athletics news by BBC Sport NI:

Leon Reid has been cleared to run for Ireland at next week’s European Championships in Berlin after the IAAF granted his international transfer.

Bath-born Reid, 24, has been attempting to secure a transfer from Great Britain to Ireland for more than two years.

Reid’s late mother was born in Belfast which opened the possibility of him switching to Ireland even though he represented Britain at youth level.

He won a Commonwealth Games 200m bronze medal for Northern Ireland in April.

Reid improved his 200m personal best to 20.27 seconds at the British Championships last month and will head to Berlin believing that he can challenge for a medal in his specialist event.

“I’m just so happy to get the opportunity to go to Berlin now and do some damage for Ireland,” said Reid, who was informed of the IAAF’s decision at 09:30 on Friday morning.

A statement from Athletics Ireland said the international governing body’s nationality review panel had “confirmed that Leon Reid is eligible to represent Ireland with immediate effect”.

Reid will also compete in the 100m in Berlin after Athletics Ireland provisionally named him in its team on Monday pending the IAAF’s ruling while he may also be a 4x400m relay option for the Irish.

On Wednesday, there were reports that Reid’s prospects of being granted the transfer appeared to be fading but the IAAF verdict went in the athlete’s favour on Friday morning.

Reid’s adopted mother Claire Russell is a solicitor and the athlete said her expertise played a key role in his successful plea.

“My mum had gone through all the legal issues and paperwork and told me everything was in hand and that always made me optimistic even with this week’s reports.”

The European Athletics Championships will take place in Berlin from Tuesday 7th – Sunday 12th August 2018.  The full Ireland squad can be found HERE.