Skeleton success in numbers
British Skeleton’s success at the recent Olympic Winter Games in Milan Cortina was history making in multiple ways.
With the dust now having settled on a fantastic few weeks in Italy, we take a look at the numbers that accompanied the remarkable achievements of this current crop of athletes and those who have been before.
Did you know?
GB have now won 9 medals in skeleton since 2002, when the sport was reintroduced to the Olympic fold. (Matt Weston men’s gold and Weston and Tabby Stoecker team gold in 2026; Lizzy Yarnold gold, Laura Deas bronze and Dom Parsons bronze in 2018; Yarnold gold in 2014; Amy Williams gold in 2010; Shelley Rudman silver in 2006; Alex Coomber bronze in 2002.)
That figure accounts for more than 40 per cent of the 22 total medals won by Team GB as a whole over those 7 Olympic Games.
British Skeleton have won 5 of Team GB’s 8 golds since Salt Lake City 24 years ago.
All 5 of those golds have come at the last 5 Olympics (2010, 2014, 2018 and 2 in 2026).
GB are celebrating winning multiple medals at an Olympic Winter Games for the second time in 8 years - Yarnold, Deas and Parsons all medalled in PyeongChang in 2018.
GB will hold the record for the nation with the most gold medals in skeleton until at least the 2034 Olympics - the USA are the only nation who could match their tally of 5 in 2030 and that’s only if they win all 3 events in 4 years’ time.
Matt Weston is the 1st British man to be crowned Olympic Champion in an individual sport for 46 years - Robin Cousins won the figure skating title in 1980.
Weston set 5 track records - 4 in the individual event and another in the team comp.
British Skeleton had 5 sliders at the 2026 Games - the most they’ve ever qualified.
All 5 athletes finished in the top 9 of their individual events and both teams placed in the top 4 in the team event.
Tabby Stoecker & Matt Weston added to GB’s fine medal tally