Who is Benjamin Richardson? Meet the Olympic Semi Finalist Set to Shake Up the Men's 100 Metres at Nationals

One of the biggest talking points ahead of this weekend's Irish Senior Track and Field Championships has nothing to do with the established names.

Instead, a huge talking point will be a sprinter many Irish athletics fans may only be hearing about for the first time.

Benjamin Richardson has been named on the start lists for both the men's 100 metres and 200 metres at Morton Stadium, representing Waterford AC. If he competes, the Olympic semi finalist would arrive as one of the quickest sprinters ever eligible to contest the Irish Championships.

With a personal best of 9.86 seconds, Richardson has already established himself on the world stage. Now, after switching his sporting allegiance from South Africa to Ireland, he could make his first appearance at the Irish Championships.

So, who exactly is Benjamin Richardson, why did he choose to represent Ireland, and can anyone stop him if he takes to the blocks this weekend?

Born in Waterford, Raised in South Africa

Richardson was born in Waterford in December 2003 before moving to South Africa as an infant, where he was adopted and raised by his Ghanaian grandparents.

Although he spent virtually his entire life in South Africa, he retained Irish citizenship through his birth in Waterford, making him eligible to switch allegiance later in his career.

He developed into one of South Africa's brightest sprint prospects, attending TuksSport High School before continuing his athletics career at the University of Pretoria.

His breakthrough came at the 2021 World Under 20 Championships, where he claimed silver in the 100 metres before helping South Africa win the 4x100 metres relay in a World Under 20 record.

A year later he added another global medal, taking bronze over 100 metres at the 2022 World Under 20 Championships.

From an Olympic Semi Final to Morton Stadium

Richardson represented South Africa at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, reaching the semi finals of the men's 100 metres after running 9.95 seconds. His Olympics ended soon afterwards when a hamstring injury forced him out of the 200 metres.

Despite representing South Africa throughout his international career, Richardson has said that competing for Ireland had long been his ambition.

Speaking earlier this year, the 22 year old revealed the idea predated his senior international career.

"Because I was born in Ireland, it was always my goal."

He also stressed the decision was never about turning his back on South Africa.

"I've never had a problem with South Africa. It was never about that."

Instead, Richardson said he believed representing Ireland would allow him to perform in an environment where he feels happier and more settled, adding that he felt the move would only help him fulfil his potential.

Following the Paris Olympics, Athletics Ireland submitted the paperwork to World Athletics to begin his transfer of allegiance.

Under World Athletics rules, athletes must complete a waiting period before representing their new country internationally. Assuming that process runs its course, Richardson is not expected to become eligible to compete for Ireland until the autumn of 2027.

That means he cannot yet wear the Irish vest in international competition, but he is eligible to compete domestically and is listed as a Waterford AC athlete for this weekend's National Championships.

One of the Fastest Men Ever Eligible to Represent Ireland

Richardson's credentials speak for themselves.

His lifetime best of 9.86 seconds makes him 0.22 faster than the current Irish record of 10.08, while he has also broken the 20 second barrier for 200 metres with a personal best of 19.99.

Those performances were achieved while representing South Africa, meaning they cannot count as Irish records, but they underline the calibre of athlete now joining the domestic sprint scene.

His arrival also adds further strength to an Irish sprint group already featuring national record holder Israel Olatunde, reigning champion Bori Akinola and several other athletes continuing to push standards higher.

Can Anyone Beat Him?

Should Richardson take to the start line, he will almost certainly begin as favourite.

Very few athletes in the world have broken the 10 second barrier, and a runner with a 9.86 personal best would normally be expected to win almost any national championship.

That said, championship racing is rarely straightforward.

Olatunde remains Ireland's national record holder and has consistently produced his best performances on the domestic stage, while Akinola arrives as defending champion and continues to make steady progress.

If Richardson competes, Sunday's men's 100 metres promises to be one of the races of the weekend. It would mark the first opportunity for Irish athletics fans to see one of the country's newest sprint talents in action, and could provide an early glimpse of what he might bring to Irish athletics once he becomes eligible to wear the green vest on the international stage.