BBC Winter Olympics Coverage Halted Over Tears and Family Heartbreak
Matt Weston delivered Great Britain's first medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics in style as he dominated the men's skeleton competition in Cortina on Friday night. The British star claimed victory by a cumulative total of 0.88 seconds over his four runs, ahead of German pair Alex Jungk and Christopher Grotheer, who took silver and bronze, respectively.
Emotional Reaction to Gold Medal Win
Reacting to his win, Weston told BBC Sport: "It means everything. It means a hell of a lot to me personally, I've worked so hard for this. But everyone back home - my fiance, my family, my friends, everyone who has sacrificed everything for this. I've missed funerals, birthdays, everything for this moment. It feels amazing."
Balding was joined in the BBC studio by Lizzy Yarnold, who said: "Every single one of the four runs were absolute perfection. Incredibly impressive from Matt Weston. What stands out for me is each and every time Matt Weston stood at the start block, he was looking down the track, he excelled, he accelerated, he was so focused. I really can't find the words to describe how incredibly impressed I am with his performance."
BBC Coverage Interrupted by Tears
Shortly after speaking, however, Yarnold broke down in tears herself and put her hands over her face. Balding halted the live coverage before stepping in to take over presenting while Yarnold collected herself. This emotional moment highlighted the intense pressure and personal sacrifices involved in elite sports.
Taking to Instagram after his victory, Weston wrote: "I DID IT." While his comments were flooded with messages congratulating him, the three-word message encapsulated his triumph and relief.
Historic Achievement in British Skeleton
Weston is the first British man to win a gold medal in the skeleton. However, Amy Williams and Lizzy Yarnold had triumphed previously in the women's competition, and he was thrilled to have followed in their footsteps. His victory marks a significant milestone for Team GB at the Winter Olympics, showcasing dedication and skill in a highly competitive event.
