Australia's Richardson switches to GB cycling team

Track cyclist Matt Richardson, who won 2 metallic medals and a bronze for Australia astatine nan Paris Olympics, has switched nationality and will now correspond Great Britain.

The 25-year-old was calved successful Kent but moved to Western Australia astatine nan property of nine, and maintained dual citizenship during his 16 years surviving there.

He will beryllium portion of GB's sprint squad, which is coached by seven-time Olympic golden medallist Sir Jason Kenny.

Writing connected Instagram, external aft his exertion pinch cycling's governing assemblage nan Union Cycliste Internationale was successful, Richardson said it had been a "difficult decision" to make and not 1 he "took lightly".

The two-time Commonwealth Games champion wrote: "It was a individual choice, made aft observant information of my profession and future.

"It's not thing I decided connected quickly aliases easily. I profoundly respect Australia and nan AusCycling Team and it will ever beryllium a portion of who I am.

"But this determination is astir pursuing my passion and pushing myself to caller heights."

Jesse Korf, AusCycling executive wide head of performance, said nan move had travel arsenic a "surprise" and it was "disappointing that Richardson would beryllium leaving a programme that had delivered awesome individual and nationalist success".

Korf added: "We besides understand that nan desire to compete for a state 1 was calved successful tin bring distant beardown emotions."

Richardson won metallic successful nan individual sprint and keirin astatine Paris 2024, positive a bronze badge successful nan squad sprint.