Matt Weston Pursues Winter Olympic Glory in Skeleton Event
Matt Weston is poised to secure a gold medal for Great Britain at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics this Friday, February 13, 2026. As a dominant contender in the skeleton event, he currently leads the field after the first two runs on Thursday, with a combined time of 1:52.09, putting him in a strong position to claim Team GB's first medal of the Games.
Annoyed Yet Focused on Victory
Despite his leading status, the 28-year-old athlete expressed dissatisfaction with his initial performance. Weston remarked, "I was quite annoyed after the first run. I tried to be a bit too relaxed because I tried to over-compensate for race-day nerves." He added, "It's pretty crazy to be the overnight leader, but I take every run as run one. I will completely reset myself, switch off for a bit, and then refocus on Friday." This mindset highlights his determination to maintain composure under pressure.
Background and Athletic Journey
Born in Redhill, England, Weston has a diverse sports background. He was a junior taekwondo champion and European Cup gold medalist before a stress fracture in his back ended that career. He also played rugby for the Saracens Academy. In 2017, he transitioned to skeleton through a British talent identification scheme, quickly rising to prominence.
Career Achievements and World Cup Dominance
Weston's skeleton career is marked by significant accomplishments:
- Double World Champion, winning individual gold at the World Championships in 2023 and 2025.
- Overall World Cup title winner for three consecutive seasons: 2023–24, 2024–25, and 2025–26.
- Made his Olympic debut at Beijing 2022, finishing 15th, and secured his first World Cup gold in November 2021 in Innsbruck.
Personal Life and Future Plans
Beyond the Olympics, Weston is set to marry his partner, Alex Howard-Jones, in July 2026, following the conclusion of the Winter Games. This personal milestone adds to the significance of his current athletic pursuits.
When to Watch the Final Runs
The skeleton event will reach its climax with the final two medal-deciding runs on Friday, February 13, scheduled around 6:30pm. Fans can tune in to see if Weston can convert his lead into a historic gold medal for Team GB.
