Team GB has secured its first medal at the Winter Olympics as Matt Weston claimed gold in the men’s skeleton event. Weston, 28, was a standout contender for Team GB in Milano Cortina and displayed a strong performance from the start, leading after the initial two heats. His times of 56.21 and 55.88 in the first two heats totaled 1:52.09 before the second day, followed by an impressive 55.63 in the third heat. Weston’s final run set a track record of 55.61, leading to an emotional celebration with teammate Marcus Wyatt and Team GB coaches.
This victory marks a significant achievement for Weston, who finished in 15th place in the previous Winter Olympics. Meanwhile, Wyatt improved on the second day but settled for seventh place with a combined time of 3:45.77.
In a post-victory statement, Weston expressed his gratitude, stating, “It means everything. It means a hell of a lot to me personally, I have worked so hard for this. Everyone back at home, my fiancée, my family, my friends, everyone that has sacrificed for me to be here. I have missed funerals, birthdays, everything for this moment and it feels amazing.”
Team GB finally made its mark on the medal table at the Winter Olympics with Weston’s triumph. German competitors Axel Jungk and Christopher Grotheer secured silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Reflecting on Weston’s performance, Lizzie Yarnold commented, “Matt Weston is traveling so fast and making decisions in tenths of a second, he doesn’t have any time to think ahead. He must be physically exhausted and emotionally overwhelmed. These athletes work three sessions a day, looking at analysis, looking at tenths of a second. It’s paid off.”
Eve Muirhead, the Team GB chef de mission, praised Weston, stating, “I’m absolutely over the moon for him, what a great guy, athlete, first medal of the Olympics, absolutely buzzing for him. The pressure he was under and he was cool as a cucumber. To come out and deliver those runs, I hate watching, that was unreal. It shows what an athlete he is, what a legend, he’s shown what he’s made of. He’s had great support.”