What can you earn after winning a medal at the Olympics? Well, you can ask Carlos Yulo. After snagging two golds in the Paris Olympics, the Filipino gymnast was promised prize money of $580,000. And he still has chances to see more numbers following his locker. However, not everyone comes with a stroke of similar luck. A few, like Noah Lyles, had to remain satisfied with bagging almost no reward from the external agent despite winning big in the French capital. And there comes someone like Matthew Richardson, who has faced a thrashing after deciding something. 

In the Paris Olympics, the cyclist grabbed silver medals in the individual sprint and keirin. He extended the glory by winning the bronze medal in the team sprint event. All these accomplishments came while Richardson carried the Australian flag with him. But since then, everything has changed because of his one decision. But what has changed for him, and what was his decision? Let’s explore.

What’s happening with Matthew Richardson? 

After snagging three Olympic medals in the Paris Olympics, Matthew Richardson came to a critical moment. He decided to move to the UK to join the Great Britain cycling program under the tutelage of Sir Jason Kenny. Born in Maidstone, Kent, and living in the UK till the age of nine, the decision didn’t seem to be off-rooted. Things became easier with him, retaining his dual citizenship. With making such a decision, the 25-year-old just wanted to live his life differently.

He called it the ‘beginning of the next chapter,’ where he would get a chance to perform for the Great Britain Cycling team. He knew that to make such wishes fulfilled, he would have to switch his allegiance. Yet Richardson had been ready to pay the price. Ultimately, the price has come, and it will block his way to rejoin the Australian cycling team in the future. 

Recently, AusCycling, the highest body in Australian cycling, published the official statement. It says, “Richardson will not be eligible to rejoin the Australian Cycling Team at any point in the future. He is also prohibited from using any resources associated with the Australian Cycling Team or its partners. Richardson will be ineligible for any AusCycling-related awards, effective immediately.”

Such a stringent measure followed after two issues. First, as per AusCycling, Matthew Richardson requested that the international governing organization UCI postpone the official declaration of his nationality shift until after the Olympics while keeping the news from AusCycling and his teammates. 

Second, Richardson requested to transport AusCycling property, including a bespoke bike, cockpit, and Olympic race suit, to Britain. These two things posed suspiciously to AusCycling. As per them, those “conflicted with the values of AusCycling, the Australian National Team, and the broader cycling community.” So, setting a message, the authorities had to take a stand. And that’s how the decision has come. Has Richardson reacted to this stand? Or is he the only cyclist to face the wrath of the Australian cycling body? 

Is the Olympian the only one to face such reactions? 

Matthew Richardson has yet to share any word on such a decision from the authority under which he won world championship medals. But his initial reactions may hint at something. Rather, it would signify heartbreak for him. How? After deciding to change the allegiance, the British-Australian said, “Switching nationality was a difficult decision and not one I took lightly. It was a personal choice, made after careful consideration of my career and future. I deeply respect Australia and the Aus Cycling Team, and it will always be a part of who I am.”

The latest announcement shows that AusCycling is not going to entertain him anymore. Additionally, because of the suspension, he will not be ineligible to receive any award from the AusCycling for his accomplishments. A tremendous blow! But he is not the only one to be treated in such a way. 

In 2017, Shane Perkins moved to Russia to join the track program. His decision came after facing a lot of rejections from AusCycling to discuss him as a potential candidate for the Olympic team for the Rio Olympics. However, in the 2012 Olympics, Perkins claimed bronze in the individual sprint event. And was hopeful to continue his successful stint. Yet in 2017, everything changed. Notably, after that, Perkins never showed up in the Olympics or made a comeback in the Australian jersey. Is Matthew Richardson going in that direction only? What do you think?