McLeod competed for Great Britain in the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles in the 10,000 metres where he won the silver medal.

Race winner Alberto Cova has since admitted to using blood transfusions during his career, and there has been speculation that McLeod could and should therefore be eventually awarded the gold medal.

[1] McLeod ran for Elswick Harriers of Newcastle upon Tyne from an early age winning many races on a regional, national and international scale.

McLeod won the Morpeth to Newcastle road race on five occasions with 63 minutes and 25 seconds being his best time in 1980.

[2] McLeod represented England and won a bronze medal in the 10,000 metres event at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Canada.