Matt Weston Secures GB’s First Gold in Skeleton at the Olympics
Matt Weston has made history by winning the first Olympic gold in skeleton for Great Britain during the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina. His triumph marks a significant achievement for Team GB and highlights his dominance in the sport.
Key Achievements
Weston set a remarkable track record in all four of his runs. This performance made him the first British man to secure an Olympic gold in skeleton, a feat not accomplished since Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill’s ice dancing win in 1984.
Historic Victory
- Athlete: Matt Weston
- Event: Men’s Skeleton
- Date: 2026 Winter Games
- Location: Cortina
- Winning Time: 3:43.33
- Margin of Victory: 0.39 seconds
In his final run, Weston finished with a time of 55.61 seconds, which was viewed as a victory lap. His overall time was a culmination of focused and calculated performance throughout the event.
Emotional Reaction
Crossing the finish line, emotion overwhelmed Weston, who buried his face in the ice. He celebrated with a signature double fist pump, reflecting on the sacrifices made for this moment. “It means everything. I’ve worked so hard for this,” he stated to BBC Sport, acknowledging the support of his family and friends.
Path to Gold
Weston’s journey to gold began with overcoming an early mistake in the first run. His impressive second run set him up with an overnight lead of 0.30 seconds. A near-flawless third run of 55.63 seconds left competitors with a challenging task. Axel Jungk from Germany finished with the silver medal, 0.88 seconds behind, while Christopher Grotheer, also from Germany, took bronze, trailing by 1.07 seconds.
Looking Ahead
Following this monumental victory, Weston, who hails from Redhill, is set to partner with Amelia Coltman in the mixed team event. This event is newly introduced for the Milan-Cortina Games. Fellow Briton Marcus Wyatt, though a medal contender, finished ninth in the skeleton competition.
Team GB’s Performance
Despite the early medal achievement, it took a week of competition for Team GB to secure their first medal. The Games have been filled with near misses, as many athletes aimed for what was expected to be a significantly successful campaign.
