Well, here’s a plot twist no one saw coming! Matthew Richardson, our cycling star who just won three medals for Australia in Paris, has decided to switch nationalities and race for Great Britain. Yes, really—he’s trading in the green and gold for the Union Jack.
Richardson, who was born in Maidstone, England, before moving to Perth at age nine, has always had a bit of a soft spot for the UK. But still, the news that he’s making the switch just days after the Olympics has left a lot of us scratching our heads.
Let’s not forget this guy absolutely smashed it in Paris—he walked away with silver in the individual sprint and keirin, plus a bronze in the team sprint. So, it’s no surprise that AusCycling is a bit stunned by his sudden change of heart.
Jesse Korf from AusCycling summed it up pretty well: “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,”
For Matt, this wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment decision. “Switching nationality was a difficult decision and not one I took lightly,” he said. “It was a personal choice made after careful consideration of my career and future. It’s not something I decided on quickly or easily,”
Even with the big move, he was keen to give a shoutout to the Aussie coaches and staff who’ve supported him along the way. It’s clear this decision wasn’t easy, but for Matt, it’s about following his heart—and his roots.
Here’s hoping Matt continues to crush it on the track, even if it’s for the other side.
