Paris Olympics 2024: WA-raised track cyclist Matthew Richardson praises support after winning three medals
After winning three medals across a brilliant Olympic Games campaign, WA-raised track cyclist Matthew Richardson says he had been spurred on by the support he has received from back home.
The Midland Cycling Club product claimed another medal on the final day with a silver in the men’s keirin, adding to his silver won for the individual sprint and bronze for the team sprint.
Speaking after receiving his keirin medal, Richardson said he had been inundated with messages of support on social media.
“I (said) ‘I’ll just do it all tomorrow’, and it just compounds and compounds and compounds and all of a sudden I was just scrolling through hundreds of messages,” he told Channel Nine.
Camera IconPARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 08: Matthew Richardson of Team Australia celebrates as sprint winner after the Men’s Sprint Quarterfinals on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
“I really feel the support from back home, and I hope I made them all proud.”
Richardson finished behind Harrie Levreysen, who also beat him in the individual sprint final, and compatriot Matthew Glaetzer, who had his own Steven Bradbury moment when the middle pack fell to hand him bronze, in the keirin final.
He said he was delighted with a performance which saw him press the Dutch legend, who claimed his third gold medal in Paris by winning the event, all the way to the finish line.
“I won three out of four races in this keirin tournament and that just gave me a lot of confidence coming into that final,” he said.
“I really just left it all out on the track. I wasn’t nervous at all; that was the least amount of nerves I’ve had in a race ever, and it happened to be the keirin final.
Camera IconPARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 11: (L-R) Bronze medalist Matthew Glaetzer and Silver medalist Matthew Richardson pose at podium after the Men’s Keirin, Final on day sixteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
“I took a lot of confidence from the ride before and I think that allowed me to race with instinct and not second guess anything.”
Richardson heaped praise on his coach, Matt Crampton, for his performances, calling the former English rider the “best coach I’ve ever had”.
“He’s a just great guy and backs us all the way … and it goes on and on with support staff and doctors and physios,” he said.
Camera IconPARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 09: (L-R) Matthew Richardson of Team Australia and Gold medalist Harrie Lavreysen of Team Netherlands compete during the Men’s Sprint, Finals on day fourteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on August 09, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images) Credit: Alex Broadway/Getty Images
Aged only 25, Richardson said he would quickly turn his attention to the Los Angeles Games in four years’ time.
“I’d love to go to a few more Olympics and try to get a gold medal,” he said.
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