Richardson banned for life by Australia, but there will be no disqualification. He can compete with Great Britain from the European Championship

An official and definitive communication on the case involved has finally arrived Matthew Richardson. The now former Australian track athlete who, after two silvers and a bronze won at the 2024 Paris Olympics, decided to give up everything, say goodbye to theAustralia and become a British track racer. Is it possible to do this? Meanwhile, Richardson was born in Great Britain, just outside Leeds, and moved to Australia at the age of 9, thus becoming 100% Australian. At the age of 25 the turning point and, also criticizing the tactics of the Cycling Federation compared to the results of the last Olympics, he decided to “go home“. The Cycling Federation tried to stop this “escape”, the pistard was actually blocked by the UCI which did not allow him to take part in the Ballerup World Championship, not having British nationality yet, but this path is inevitable. Despite the request of Australia of a two-year ban as non-competitiveness clausethe disqualification of Richardson is not possible as there are no legal prerequisites to do so. The class of ’99, therefore, will be eligible for recruitment from Great Britain for the next international competitions (the first will be in February with the Zolder European Championship).