Team GB has secured their first gold medal at the Winter Olympics as Matt Weston claimed victory in the men’s skeleton event. Weston, 28, was a standout contender for Team GB in Milano Cortina and took the lead after the initial two heats with times of 56.21 and 55.88. His overall time of 1:52.09 positioned him at the top going into the second day, where he continued his impressive performance with a time of 55.63 in the third heat.
The climax of Weston’s success came with a record-breaking time of 55.61 in his final run, leading to an emotional celebration alongside his teammate Marcus Wyatt and Team GB coaches. This triumph marked a significant improvement for Weston compared to his 15th place finish four years ago. On the other hand, Wyatt, while showing improvement on the second day, finished in seventh place with a total time of 3:45.77.
In his post-victory remarks, Weston expressed the immense personal significance of his win, acknowledging the sacrifices made by his loved ones to support his journey to the podium. Following Weston’s gold-winning performance, Team GB made their mark on the Winter Olympics medal table. Additionally, German athletes Axel Jungk and Christopher Grotheer secured the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Reflecting on Weston’s performance, former Olympian Lizzie Yarnold praised his speed and split-second decision-making under intense pressure, highlighting the dedication and meticulous preparation required for such success. Team GB’s chef de mission, Eve Muirhead, commended Weston for his composure and exceptional performance, emphasizing the athlete’s resilience and outstanding support system.
The historic win by Weston not only brought glory to Team GB but also showcased the determination and excellence of the athletes competing at the Winter Olympics.
