Matt Weston Secures Double Olympic Gold While Battling Shoulder Injury
British skeleton star Matt Weston has achieved historic success at the Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, winning two gold medals despite competing with a significant shoulder injury that requires surgery. The 28-year-old from Tunbridge Wells claimed individual gold on Friday before partnering with Tabby Stoecker to win the inaugural mixed team event on Sunday, cementing his place in British winter sports history.
Competing Through Pain and Adversity
Weston revealed that his entire season has been compromised by physical setbacks, beginning with a quad tear just eight weeks before competition commenced. The shoulder injury has been particularly debilitating, forcing him to rely on coaches for assistance with sled handling and limiting his training capabilities.
"I've been competing with a dodgy shoulder and in a lot of pain quite a lot of the time," Weston admitted. "I'm looking forward to getting that fixed, because there's a lot of sled work I haven't been able to do. Physically, it would break me."
The athlete explained that medical intervention had been postponed to ensure his Olympic participation. "For a year or so I've needed the shoulder operation but we've been holding out until after the Games... we just didn't want to risk it," he said, adding that his body bears multiple issues that would be visible on X-rays.
Historic Achievements Against the Odds
Despite these physical challenges, Weston delivered dominant performances at the Cortina Sliding Centre. He won the individual event by 0.88 seconds over Germany's Axel Jungk, then overcame a 0.3-second deficit after Stoecker's run to secure the mixed team gold by 0.17 seconds.
Remarkably, these victories were achieved without the super-aerodynamic helmet that had been banned before competition for regulatory non-compliance. "I think we proved that even without them, we're good enough," Weston stated proudly.
His double gold achievement ties him with two-time skeleton champion Lizzy Yarnold as Britain's most successful Winter Olympian. Weston now possesses two of Team GB's fifteen total Winter Olympic gold medals.
Celebration and Future Plans
The victorious pair celebrated their achievement until 4am, with Weston joking about athletes' limited drinking capacity. "We're not known for being good drinkers because we're athletes," he said. "So, we're not heavyweight, let's put it that way!"
Both athletes plan to conclude their seasons on this triumphant note. Stoecker, making her Olympic debut, expressed excitement about "switching off and doing things just because I want to" after years of performance-focused decisions.
Weston has a stag do organized by Stoecker's boyfriend to anticipate, though details remain secret. "I'm going to be whisked off somewhere, I have no idea where," he revealed, acknowledging that his taekwondo background won't protect him from traditional stag party antics.
Inspiring the Next Generation
The athletes hope their success will boost skeleton's profile in Britain. Weston noted that 3,500 people have already registered for a UK Sport Talent ID day, the same pathway that launched his career.
"You never know where you're going to end up in this sport," Weston reflected. "It can take you on an amazing journey. I've achieved things I never thought I would do."
Stoecker emphasized the importance of their Olympic moment for inspiring participation. "To have this moment at the Olympic Games with the whole nation behind us... it's not just for us, it is for all those people who might be inspired by what we've done."
With rumors of a BBC Sports Personality of the Year nomination circulating, Weston acknowledges his life is changing but remains focused on his achievements. "This was the goal, but to actually achieve it is pretty special," he said, describing the growing public attention as "a bit of a buzz."
Weston's performances have significantly contributed to what is already Team GB's most successful Winter Olympics, with three gold medals secured within 48 hours after never previously winning more than one at a single Games.
