"His manager Jelle Broekhuisen confirmed to South African news site The Citizen that Richardson was hoping to compete for Ireland at the 2027 World Championships in Beijing and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, with athletes currently forced to sit out a lengthy waiting period after changing their allegiance under rules brought in by World Athletics to discourage nation-hopping. It's understood that Athletics Ireland has submitted an application on behalf of Richardson to the World Athletics Nationality Review Panel and is currently awaiting a decision."
"Richardson last raced for South Africa at the Paris Olympics last year, where he finished third in the 100m semi-finals, narrowly missing the final after clocking 9.95. He suffered a hamstring injury in the subsequent 200m. A waiting period of three years is usually required to compete for a new nation after the last time an athlete represents their old country, which would mean Richardson would be cleared to run for Ireland at the 2027 World Championships, which take place in September."
Benjamin Richardson, born in Ireland and holding an Irish passport, plans to switch allegiance from South Africa to Ireland. Personal bests stand at 9.86 for 100m and 19.99 for 200m, both faster than the Irish records of 10.08 and 20.30. Athletics Ireland has submitted an application to the World Athletics Nationality Review Panel and is awaiting a decision. A customary three-year waiting period from last representation would likely clear Richardson to compete for Ireland at the 2027 World Championships. Richardson ran 9.95 in the 100m semi-finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, suffered a hamstring injury in the 200m, and recorded season bests of 10.01 and 20.21 in 2025, plus a wind-aided 19.79 in Geneva.
Read at Irish Independent
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