Paris 2024 medallist Matthew Richardson banned for life from representing Australia after Great Britain defection
Updated . First published at
AusCycling has banned Paris 2024 medallist Matthew Richardson from ever representing Australia again after his defection to Great Britain.
Richardson, who was born in the UK, revealed the decision after the Olympics which led to a review from the cycling body.
Upon the completion of the review, the track cyclist was ruled to have "acted in a way which conflicted the values of AusCycling, the Australian national team and the broader cycling community" in a statement released by AusCycling on Monday afternoon.
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The statement claimed Richardson had made a request with the Union Cycliste Internationale that his eligibility change not be announced until after the Games.
The findings from the review also concluded he'd kept the news from AusCycling, his teammates and key stakeholders.
Matthew Richardson on the podium at Paris 2024. Getty
Additionally, he asked AusCycling after the Paris Games, but before revealing his defection, if he could take a custom bike, a cockpit and an Olympic race suit to Great Britain, according to the statement.
In addition to being banned for life from representing Australia in cycling, he is prohibited from using any resources associated with the Australian cycling team or its partners, and is ineligible for any awards related to AusCycling.
AusCycling said it investigated the prospect of a two-year non-compete clause, but the ban was not legal.
"These decisions underscore AusCycling's adherence to the values of the Australian national team and our broader commitment to the principle of 'win well'," said AusCycling executive general manager of performance Jesse Korf.
"Integrity, respect and trust are foundational to our team and organisation, and we remain focused on fostering an environment that upholds these standards."
Richardson won two silver medals and a bronze at the Paris Games.
Wide World of Sports contacted Richardson's management but he declined to comment.