Great Britain is making waves as a rising force in winter sports, celebrating a historic performance at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Team GB secured an unprecedented five medals—three golds, one silver, and one bronze—marking their most successful outing at a Winter Games to date.
Leading the homecoming procession was skeleton racer Matt Weston, proudly wearing his two gold medals and waving the Union Flag as he entered Gatwick Airport’s arrivals hall. His achievements cement him as the most decorated male British winter Olympian in history.
Chef de Mission Eve Muirhead hailed the team’s achievements as evidence of a nation “on the rise.” She praised the collective effort of the athletes, who delivered stand-out performances including 24 top-10 finishes and several near-podium results.
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This year’s Games saw Team GB win multiple gold medals for the first time in Winter Olympic history. After Weston’s individual skeleton victories, he joined Tabby Stoecker to claim gold in the mixed skeleton event. Meanwhile, Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale made history by winning the nation’s first gold on snow in the mixed team snowboard cross.
The momentum continued with the men’s curling team, led by Bruce Mouat, securing a silver medal, followed by freestyle skier Zoe Atkin capturing bronze in the women’s halfpipe on the Games’ final day.
The athletes returned to a warm welcome from friends, family, and local supporters, including pupils from St. John’s C of E Primary School in Caterham gathered to celebrate the team’s success.
Muirhead, herself a decorated curler, reflected on the significance of this milestone. “We are a nation that lacks ice and snow, but our athletes’ determination and the strong sports programs have really paid off. Inspiring more young people to get involved in winter sports is the next step.”
For Nightingale and Bankes, their gold medal victories were particularly sweet, coming after tough individual competitions. Nightingale expressed pride in representing a country evolving into a winter sports contender, while Bankes, a closing ceremony flagbearer, hoped their success would inspire others to embrace snowboarding.
Freestyle skier Atkin, who followed in the footsteps of her Olympic-medalist sister Izzy, described the thrill of achieving her dream medal. Despite earlier setbacks, her bronze represents a triumphant moment for her family and for British winter sports.
Team GB’s return flight from Verona landed at 11:06 AM, marking the start of celebrating a team that has etched itself into British Olympic history and positioned Great Britain as a nation on the ascent in winter sports.