Former teachers and coaches of Matt Weston have spoken of their pride after the Briton made history by becoming the first from his country to win two gold medals at a single Winter Olympics.
The skeleton racer capped a remarkable fortnight by adding team gold to his men’s individual title, confirming his status as one of Britain’s breakout stars on the ice. His success has sent waves of celebration through the schools and clubs that shaped his early sporting life.
Competing for Team GB, Weston first stunned rivals with a record-breaking individual performance before returning to claim victory in the mixed team event alongside teammate Tabby Stoecker. Both runs showcased composure under pressure and technical precision.
The gold medals came at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, staged in the alpine setting of Cortina d’Ampezzo. Weston’s times set new course benchmarks, leaving little doubt about his dominance throughout the competition.
Yet for those who knew him long before Olympic glory, the triumph felt inevitable. Coaches describe the same traits they saw years ago: discipline, quiet confidence and an unwavering competitive edge.
Adam Bowman, director of rugby at Sevenoaks Rugby Club, remembered a calm but steely young player who never lost focus when the stakes were high. He said Weston’s determination stood out every time he stepped onto the pitch.
“We’re all so proud of him,” Bowman told BBC Radio Kent. “He was incredibly composed and focused. Even when things were nerve-wracking, he looked like he had it under control.”
Bowman added that Weston balanced friendliness off the field with a fierce will to win once competition began. “When he crossed the white line, he had this steely determination. That real competitive edge, but always calm at the same time,” he said, joking that he might try to tempt him back to rugby one day.
Weston’s athletic range was equally evident at Bennett Memorial School in Tunbridge Wells. Teachers recall a student eager to try every sport on offer, from rugby to taekwondo, rarely turning down a challenge.
Justin Singleton, the school’s head of sport and physical education teacher, described feeling “elated” as he watched his former pupil reach the top of the Olympic podium. He said Weston’s dedication set him apart even as a teenager.
“He was focused all the way on his sports,” Singleton explained. “Whatever activities we offered, he gave them a go. I’ve been telling students for months that this former pupil was heading to the Olympics and could win gold.”
That prediction proved accurate, with Weston’s back-to-back victories turning him into a role model for current students. Staff say his story demonstrates how commitment at grassroots level can translate into elite success on the world stage.
Friends and family have also shared in the celebration. His fiancée, Alex Howard-Jones, revealed that amid the excitement, attention will soon turn to wedding preparations back home in Kent. The couple, who met at school, have watched their lives change dramatically since Weston joined the skeleton programme.
She recalled discovering the news while travelling in New Zealand years ago, never imagining it would lead to Olympic triumphs. “We didn’t think this would be our lives in 10 years,” she said.
From school fields in Surrey and Sussex to icy tracks in the Italian Alps, Weston’s journey reflects a blend of versatility and perseverance. Coaches say his rugby toughness, martial arts discipline and natural athleticism all fed into his skeleton success.
As Britain celebrates a rare double Winter Olympic champion, those closest to him insist the medals are no surprise. For them, Weston has always carried the mindset of a winner — now simply proven on the biggest stage of all.
