August 19, (THEWILL) – Matt Richardson is set to join the British cycling team following his impressive performance at the Paris Olympics, where he won three medals for Australia. Richardson took home the silver in the individual sprint and keirin events, along with a bronze in the team sprint.
Born in England, the 25-year-old moved to Western Australia at the age of nine. He has retained dual citizenship, which has facilitated his decision to return to the UK permanently. The cyclist’s nationality switch has been approved by the UCI, cycling’s governing body.
Speaking with excitement about the switch, Richardson said: “I have made the decision to pack up my entire life and move halfway across the world to begin the next chapter in my cycling career. It is with a sense of excitement and renewal I announce I have joined the Great British cycling team.” He acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, emphasising that it was a personal choice made after careful consideration of his career and future.
The news came as a surprise to AusCycling, with Jesse Korf, the executive general manager of performance, expressing disappointment at Richardson’s departure. Korf noted that Richardson would be leaving a programme that had delivered significant personal and national success.
Richardson’s career highlights include double gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and five world championship medals, including gold in the 2022 team sprint. His move to the British team marks a significant shift in the competitive landscape of international cycling as the 2024 Olympic cycle progresses.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
