Matt Ryan changes Nationality

[TableDancer]

Well, it's official: Matt is going to change nationality to British. He has lived here for 20 years now after all... Good luck to him I say

[blue2262]

Nothing to do with not getting picked by Australia for the Olympics, I suppose!

[KatB]

Good on him.

[Bubblegum]

Well I for one am very happy to have him as a Brit.

[wizoz]

I feel sad that he has been forced to do this But he'll get a very warm welcome from me

[teapot]

Such a shame but at least he's on our side now

[TableDancer]

TBF nobody's forced him, I guess there were elements of "push" and "pull". The full text of the Press release is as follows...


Matt Ryan today announced that he is changing his nationality from Australian to British. Matt has won three Olympic Gold medals for Australia, two in Barcelona in 1992 and most recently at Sydney in 2000. However, he has been based in the UK for many years and is married to British rider Marie. They have a 2 year old daughter, Millie. Matt says: “I have been considering making the switch for a number of years, and it was a very difficult decision to make. However, this is my 20th year living in the UK, I have a British family and this feels like home – we have no plans to return to Australia to live. The British eventing set-up is second to none and is the envy of the world, and the superb training and back-up system which is available to the elite British riders is hugely appealing. In 2009 there is the European Championships and I will certainly be gunning for selection with Bonza Puzzle (8th at Badminton in 2008 and winner of Kreuth CCI*** 2008). Looking beyond that there are the 2010 World Games and of course the Olympics: just like all the other riders, I’ll be setting my sights on London 2012!”

On hearing the news, Yogi Breisner, British Event Team Performance Manager, said “We are delighted to have a rider of Matt’s experience and calibre now available for the British team.”

It has been Matt’s view for some time now that with around a third of the top Australian riders based in Europe, yet no European-based selector(s), it is impossible for the Australians to make informed and objective selection decisions. Interestingly, two North-American based top Australian event riders, Philip Dutton and Boyd Martin, have changed their nationality to the USA in recent years.

Still, Matt might find it hard to pass the “Norman Tebbit Test” for a while yet: “I still love Australia and I have to admit I’ll be cheering for the Aussies in the Ashes Cricket series this summer” he admitted, sheepishly. “But I’m happy to support my adopted country of Wales in the Six Nations Rugby matches coming up!”

[CastleMouse]

Good on him

[tigers_eye]

Yay! What great news, he is such a fantastic personality in the sport.

[ajf]

Wow thats great for GB but a loss for Australia. Good luck Matt