Buck races for City of York and Leeds Metropolitan University

Yorkshire athlete Richard Buck has been confirmed for the Great Britain 400 metres relay squad at the Beijing Olympics after recovering from illness.

The 21-year-old from Pickering picked up a virus four weeks ago while preparing for the Europa Cup in Paris.

His coach Geoff Barraclough told BBC Radio York: "He passed a medical assessment on Thursday."

Buck had been selected to join up with the four-man squad, which has now become six, subject to that medical.

The City of York runner was on good form before the virus struck. "He's lost 10 kilos in weight, which is a lot for an athlete," Barraclough added.

Buck now has just two weeks to regain his fitness before he flies out to China.

"His weight is starting to go up again. He had a good level of fitness before so we'll get him there," added Barraclough.

"He'll get a test [from GB officials] when he gets out there to see that he'll be absolutely right."