Australian Cyclist Richardson Switches Allegiance to Team GB After Paris Success
- Olympics hero had planned defection to Great Britain before winning silver medal.
- Defection was result of months of secret planning.
- Teammates and friends were unaware of the plan.
In a surprising turn of events, Australian cyclist Richardson, 25, has announced his decision to represent Team Great Britain moving forward, following a successful performance at the recent Games in Paris where he secured three medals for Australia. This shift, reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, was not a spontaneous choice but rather the culmination of months of careful planning, kept secret from his teammates and close friends. Richardson revealed that his desire to compete for Great Britain has been a long-standing ambition, dating back to his first international competition at the junior worlds in 2017. He expressed a deep connection to the British team, stating, "I just kind of felt this sense of... that feels like my country." Despite being unable to publicly express this sentiment while representing Australia, the thought of switching nationalities lingered in his mind for years. The cyclist disclosed that he had discreet meetings while competing with the Australian team, indicating his commitment to making the switch. He acknowledged the support he received from British cycling's performance director, Stephen Park, who was one of the few aware of his plans. Richardson emphasized that while he is grateful for the opportunities provided by Cycling Australia, his dream of representing Great Britain ultimately took precedence. As he embarks on this new chapter, Richardson remains appreciative of his past experiences while looking forward to the future with Team GB.