Matt Weston secured Team GB's first gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Italy, winning the men's singles skeleton competition on Friday, February 13, 2026, according to Sky News. The 28-year-old, who hails from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, had been the favorite after leading at the halfway stage, setting track records in the first two heats. His final run solidified his victory with another track record, giving him a 0.39-second advantage.
The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, unfolding amidst global uncertainty, has already produced memorable moments, bringing together over 3,500 athletes from 93 countries, as reported by Time. American skier Breezy Johnson won gold in the women's downhill competition on February 8, marking a significant victory, especially considering she had previously suffered an ACL injury on the same mountain before the Beijing Games, according to Time. Johnson, 30, also skied the fastest time on the downhill portion of the combined event two days after her win.
Team USA also celebrated multiple wins. Figure skater Alysa Liu, returning from a two-year retirement, helped the U.S. team secure gold in the figure skating competition, and speedskater Jordan Stolz set a new Olympic record in the 1000m event, crossing the finish line in 1 minute, 6.28 seconds, according to Time.
However, the Games have also been marred by controversy. Ukrainian slider Vladislav Heraskevych was banned from the Winter Olympics for refusing to remove a helmet honoring fallen athletes, sparking outrage and igniting a major scandal, according to BBC Breaking.
The pressure of competition is evident, as U.S. snowboarder Sean FitzSimons stated, "I was scared yesterday, I'm scared every day," according to NPR News. The focus on mental preparation is also highlighted, with some athletes using techniques like "kitty cats and cloud hands" to stay calm, as seen with U.S. snowboarder Alessandro Barbieri, who was training for the halfpipe competition.
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