Cyclist Matthew Richardson announced overnight that he will now ride for Great Britain at international cycling competitions. It is a blow for Australian cycling after Richardson starred in Paris, winning two silver medals and one bronze.
What happened
The 25-year-old took to Instagram to announce that the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), professional cycling’s governing body, had approved his application to switch national teams. Richardson told UK newspaper The Telegraph that he submitted his application months before the Paris Olympics and without AusCycling’s knowledge.
How can Richardson switch
Richardson was born in England and moved to Perth with his family when he was nine. He was originally a gymnast but began cycling in his early teens.
Richardson’s British passport makes him eligible to represent the country. He is a two-time Olympian having represented Australia in Tokyo and Paris. He also represented Australia at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and won two gold medals.
What they said
Richardson said: “Switching nationality was a difficult decision and not one I took lightly. It was a personal choice, made after careful consideration of my career and future. It’s not something I decided on quickly or easily”.
AusCycling said: “The announcement of Matt’s switch is disappointing and came as a surprise. We also understand that the desire to compete for a country one was born in can bring forth strong emotions”.
Olympic cyclist Katherine Bates told the ABC: “[Some people] are feeling a little bit ripped off because supporting [Richardson] over the years has come at the direct cost of supporting other athletes.”
Richardson’s eligibility
The first time Richardson will be eligible to compete for GB will be at the Track Champions League in November this year. He is not eligible to race in the Track World Championships in October or the European Championships in February 2025.
