Olympic medalist faces two-year ban after switching from Australia to Team GB

An Olympic athlete is facing a two-year ban from competing after switching from Australia to Team GB.

Matthew Richardson - who won two silvers and one bronze medal for cycling at the Paris Games - has defended his decision to switch nationality.

Born in Kent, England, the 25-year-old moved to Western Australia with his family aged nine.

Taking to Instagram on Monday (19 August), the sportsman announced his desire to represent his birth land, writing: "I have made the decision to pack up my entire life and move half way across the world to begin the next chapter in my cycling career.

"It is with a sense of excitement and renewal I announce I have joined the Great British Cycling Team.

"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.

"It’s not something I decided on quickly or easily.

"I deeply respect Australia and the Aus Cycling Team and it will always be a part of who I am.

"As this new chapter in my life begins, I would like to sincerely thank the coaches and support staff who have worked with me over many years in Australia."

Justifying the move, he added: "But this decision is about following my passion and pushing myself to new heights. This isn’t about leaving something behind, but about embracing a new chapter in my journey and chasing a dream, a dream that is to race for the country in which I was born."

Since the statement, AusCycling chief Jesse Korf said they may seek a two-year non-competition ban on Richardson.

Korf, AusCycling’s executive general manager of performance, said: "There’s disappointment around the decision and the process and not knowing around Matt’s circumstances."

"He will not compete at the upcoming World Championships [in October].

"But the non-competition duration and clauses, that is being interrogated and looked into at the moment together with the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) and ASC (Australian Sports Commission).

"That is something that we would have to discuss internally because we obviously have a big say in that and we need to review that."

Hitting back at the comments, Richardson told ABC News: "I obviously understood that there would be a bit of bitterness around this decision, but at the end of the day it’s my career and it’s my life.

"Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. It’s up to me whether I want to listen to it or not, and I’ve obviously chosen not to.

"It’s a free world, and they can do and say what they like. I’m happy with the decision I’ve made."

LADbible has contacted the UCI, cycling’s governing body, for comment.