Three Northern Ireland gymnasts including defending pommel horse champion Rhys McClenaghan have been cleared to compete at this summer's Commonwealth Games.
McClenaghan, Eamon Montgomery and Ewan McAteer were told last month that they would not be permitted to represent Northern Ireland at the Games after representing Ireland in international competition.
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) faced a significant backlash following their initial decision. Commonwealth Games NI labelled the ruling as "incomprehensible" while politicians including Northern Ireland Secretary of State Brandon Lewis and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar joined the outcry.
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But now the FIG has confirmed that all three gymnasts can compete in Birmingham after overturning the bans.
Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland said in a statement: "We would like to thank all those who have supported the athletes over the last couple of weeks, including Minister Hargey and the Department for Communities, members of the NI Assembly, Sport NI, the NI Human Rights Commission, British Gymnastics, Gymnastics Ireland and a host of other organisations and individuals.
"We would particularly like to offer our appreciation to the Federation Internationale Gymnastique (FIG) for the time given to this matter and the exception that has been granted for the benefit of the concerned gymnasts and in the best interests of sport
"As we celebrate hosting the Queen’s Baton Relay in Northern Ireland, we look forward with excitement to the Games which start in just 31 days."
Sport NI Chief Executive Antoinette McKeown also welcomed the move. She said: “Sport NI welcomes the decision by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) to reinstate Rhys McClenaghan, Eamon Montgomery and Ewan McAteer to compete in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.
“Fairness for all the athletes involved was at the heart of this matter and that is why we’re delighted to see this issue resolved with a positive outcome for our gymnasts and their sport. This issue has highlighted the need for a clear international consensus when it comes to Northern Irish athletes, and we will be engaging in wider conversations to pursue this aim.
“We hope Rhys, Eamon and Ewan can now focus without distraction on what they do best. Let me take this opportunity to wish them well for the Commonwealth Games and we look forward to watching them competing on the world stage where they belong.”
FIG initially suggested that the three gymnasts could renounce the Irish nationality on their gymnastic licences to compete at the Games. The governing body also suggested the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) could remove the relevant gymnastics competitions from FIG's calendar.
Speaking last month after being initially told he could not compete in Birmingham, McClenaghan said: "I was born in Northern Ireland, my residence is in Northern Ireland and I represented and won Gold for Northern Ireland in the last Commonwealth Games.
"I feel that FIG do not understand the gravity of the Belfast Agreement and the unique situation pertaining to Northern Ireland.
"Every other sport understand the eligibility of Northern Irish athletes in accordance with Commonwealth Games. I would like to ask the FIG to reconsider their decision and allow us to compete at the Commonwealth Games."
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