Irish 400 metre record-holder Paul McKee has rubbished reports that he is set to make a shock switch to represent Spain.

An Irish athletics website claimed over the weekend that the Belfastman's days of representing Ireland were numbered.

However, McKee told BBC Sport Online on Tuesday that the report was a "joke".

"Somebody is having a laugh here," said the European Championship semi-finalist.

"There's absolutely no truth in this story and I've no idea where it has come from".

Antrim Forum saved

McKee is training in Spain at the moment but he will be back in his native Belfast for the Irish Indoor Championships at the Odyssey Arena on 15/16 February.

"Before that I will compete at the Glasgow Indoor meeting and I'm really looking forward to both competitions as training has been going really well".

Meanwhile, the threat to the track at the Antrim Forum appears to have abated.

There were very real concerns that the eight-lane track would have to close because Antrim Borough Council was reluctant to fund necessary improvements.

However, lottery funding for the track upgrade has now been secured while Antrim Borough Council and the Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure are backing the plan.