Matt Weston made history by claiming Britain’s first gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in the skeleton event, yet his victory celebration proved remarkably understated.
The champion marked his triumph with just three slices of margherita pizza before heading straight to sleep.
“Some people might find it surprising,” Weston remarked on Saturday morning.
“But I’ve got to keep my head together for the team race on Sunday.”
With the mixed team skeleton taking place tomorrow, Weston could become the first British athlete to secure two medals at a single Winter Olympics.
He described having the gold medal in front of him as “an amazing kind of position” while acknowledging the opportunity ahead.
“It would be amazing to become a double Olympic champion, I think we do have a pretty good chance,” Weston said.
Matt Weston made history by claiming Britain’s first gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in the skeleton event, yet his victory celebration proved remarkably understated
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The mixed team skeleton makes its Olympic debut at these Games.
In this format, Weston will partner with whichever British woman finishes fastest among Tabby Stoecker, Freya Tarbit, and Amelia Coltman. Each athlete completes a single run, with their combined times determining the result.
A crucial distinction from the individual competition is the reaction start system.
Matt Weston celebrates with his gold medal
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PA
Competitors must wait for the start lights before launching, with any false start incurring a half-second penalty.
“I think we’re going to be one of the strongest sets of teams out there,” Weston said.
“We can definitely take it to the rest of the nations.”
Britain’s primary rivals for the podium are Germany, China, and Austria.
German athletes claimed silver and bronze behind Weston in the men’s event, while their women occupied the same positions after the opening two heats of their competition.
Germany has dominated this event at world championship level, winning four of the five editions held.
Matt Weston is targeting a second gold medal at the Winter Olympics
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PA
However, Weston has consistently challenged them, finishing runner-up on each of the past three occasions. He partnered with Stoecker for two of those silver medal performances.
“We’ve had quite a few of them now,” Weston explained, noting he limited his participation this season due to a serious injury sustained earlier in the campaign.
“But I haven’t forgotten how to do it.”
Weston has shattered the Cortina track record on four separate occasions this week, yet the perfectionist remains unsatisfied. He admitted there were elements of his final run that fell short of his own exacting standards.
The skeleton champion views Sunday’s competition as an extension of his individual performance.
“I look at it as a continuation, like a five-heat race,” he said, adding that the reaction start element brings welcome excitement. “It adds a bit of jeopardy and adds a bit of adrenaline so hopefully I’ll push a bit faster as well.”
