Matt Weston storms to skeleton gold as GB claim first Winter Olympics triumph
Matt Weston produced a stunning display in the men's skeleton to clinch gold and deliver Great Britain's first top-podium finish of the 2026 Winter Games. Weston laid down four blistering runs, each faster than the last, and crossed the line with a winning total that left rivals trailing by nearly a full second.
Weston's near-perfect day: four track records and composure under pressure
Weston entered the final phase with the lead and stamped his authority on the competition with a final time of 3: 43. 33. He set track records on all four of his heats, a sequence that underscored both raw speed and clinical consistency. After the medal ceremony he admitted the moment still felt surreal and called the experience a blur, praising the support around him and acknowledging the sacrifices that helped him reach the top.
Emotion ran high in the stands as Weston’s fiance and family celebrated; his closing run was met with jubilant cheers. Weston described himself as a perfectionist and said there were still small details he wanted to tidy up, but that relentless drive to refine his craft is what has propelled him to world- and Olympic-level success.
His margin of victory—0. 88 seconds ahead of the field—was emphatic in a sport where hundredths of a second often separate medal positions. Weston also made history by becoming the first British man to win Olympic gold in skeleton, adding a landmark achievement to his career highlights.
Team GB's broader picture and other standout moments
The skeleton success helped push Great Britain up the early medals table and ended the team’s wait for a first medal at these Games. Marcus Wyatt, another British contender in the event, finished outside the medals in ninth overall, ensuring the spotlight remained firmly on Weston’s golden runs.
Beyond skeleton, the figure-skating competition saw a surprise as a leading contender faltered in the free skate and slid down the standings to finish eighth, a shock for fans and a reminder of how unforgiving the Olympics can be. In women's skeleton, Britain enjoyed further strong showings with competitors sitting inside the top six after the first two runs.
There was also off-track controversy when a Ukrainian racer’s appeal against disqualification over helmet symbolism was dismissed, leaving the athlete out of contention and prompting debate about on-track regulations and expressions of solidarity.
Looking ahead: medal races and curling action
With multiple golds still to be decided on day eight, attention turns to a packed schedule that will test depth across winter disciplines. Great Britain will be active in curling, with the women’s rink set to take on a heavyweight opponent at 08: 05 ET and the men’s team returning to ice at 13: 05 ET, both matches carrying medal-round implications and the chance to add to the country’s growing momentum.
Weston’s victory offers a galvanising moment for his teammates and supporters back home. He thanked everyone who had supported him, including family, friends and the wider public, and said the weight of the medal would be a constant reminder of the journey. For now, Weston’s remarkable run of four track records in a single Olympic event will be remembered as one of the standout performances of these Games.
