Matt Weston Wins Gold: Team GB’s First Medal at Winter Olympics 2026

Matt Weston has etched his name into the history books, securing Great Britain’s first gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy. The 28-year-old dominated the men’s singles skeleton competition, finishing with a commanding lead of 0.88 seconds over Germany’s Axel Jungk.

Weston, already a world and European champion, entered the Games as the clear favorite, and he delivered on that promise with a performance for the ages. He set the track record in both heats on Thursday, laying a strong foundation for his gold medal bid. He continued his blistering pace on Friday, adding another track record in the third run and extending his advantage to 0.39 seconds.

But Weston didn’t ease up. Despite holding a significant margin, he pushed even harder in his final run, completing the course in 55.61 seconds and achieving a sensational overall time of 3:43.33. It was a statement of intent, a demonstration of complete control, and a clear signal to his competitors that the gold was his.

“It means everything,” Weston told BBC Sport, visibly emotional after his victory. “It means a hell of a lot to me personally, I’ve worked so hard for this. But everyone back home – my fiancee, my family, my friends, everyone who has sacrificed everything for this. I’ve missed funerals, birthdays, everything for this moment. It feels amazing. Hopefully I made you proud.”

The German duo of Axel Jungk and Christopher Grotheer rounded out the podium, taking silver and bronze respectively. Jungk finished 0.88 seconds behind Weston, while defending Olympic champion Grotheer was 1.07 seconds back.

Weston’s triumph marks a significant milestone for Team GB, representing their first Olympic gold in the men’s skeleton event. Great Britain now boasts the most successful Olympic record in the sport, with a total of four gold, one silver, and five bronze medals.

The victory is particularly poignant given Weston’s dedication and the sacrifices he’s made to reach the pinnacle of his sport. His consistent dominance over the past four-year cycle made him the overwhelming favorite, but delivering on that expectation under the immense pressure of the Olympic Games is a testament to his mental fortitude.

While Weston celebrated his historic win, Team GB’s other skeleton hopeful, Marcus Wyatt, finished ninth.

Weston’s journey to Olympic gold is a compelling story of perseverance. He began his career in taekwondo, achieving European and international honors before an injury forced him to retire at the age of 17. He then transitioned to skeleton, quickly rising through the ranks to become a world-class athlete.

His success extends beyond the Olympic arena. In March 2025, Weston secured his second world championship title, and last month he clinched his third successive overall World Cup title, solidifying his status as the dominant force in the sport.

The win also comes amidst a backdrop of controversy at these Games. Ukrainian competitor Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified just 30 minutes before the start of the session on Thursday after refusing to remove a helmet honoring athletes killed since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Weston’s gold medal is the first individual male British gold at a Winter Olympics since figure skater Robin Cousins’ victory in 1980. The outpouring of support for Weston’s achievement was immediate, with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer offering his congratulations via social media, stating simply: “History-making. Congratulations Matt Weston!”

Team GB has a rich history in skeleton, with Lizzy Yarnold securing two gold medals at the 2014 Sochi Games and the 2018 PyeongChang Games. Dom Parsons won bronze in the men’s event at PyeongChang, and Amy Williams claimed gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games. Weston’s victory adds another glorious chapter to that legacy.