Gold Medal is 'testament' to Matt Weston's hard work, former PE teacher says

The former PE teacher of Olympic champion Matt Weston has said winning gold is a "testament" to the "hard work" the athlete has put in over the years.

Weston, 28, scooped gold in the men's skeleton competition at the Milan and Cortina Winter Olympics on Friday evening.

The double world champion claimed victory by a cumulative total of 0.88 seconds over his four runs, ahead of German duo Alex Jungk and Christopher Grotheer, who took silver and bronze respectively.

Justin Singleton, head of sport at Bennett Memorial Diocesan School in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, taught Weston at school and said the current pupils will be "really stoked" with the news.

Mr Singleton told the Press Association: "I'm so glad he got it. That's brilliant news.

"(I'm) completely stoked for him. You know, he's worked so hard and that's testament to the hard work he's put in over the last four years... but also in the years before that."

The teacher said "dedication" is "what makes Matt, Matt".

He added: "He's always been lively with sport and anything he can try and play, he'll try and play."

Mr Singleton added: "The kids at school, they'll be really stoked.

"They'll be absolutely amazed that one of our ex-pupils is now an Olympic gold medallist."

Mr Singleton said he bets the athlete's parents will be "jumping up and down for joy".

Before Weston took up skeleton, Mr Singleton believed he would go far in rugby, having played for the school team and later at Saracens Academy, which offers a pathway into professional rugby.

Mr Singleton said Weston was "fearless" on the pitch, adding: "It's probably not surprising he's gone into skeleton, because he had no fear.

"You've got a lot of lads, twice your size, running at you on a rugby field, you've got to have a lot of bravery, time and time again. He was, in that respect, fearless."

Weston went on to compete internationally in taekwondo before he was forced to retire from the sport at 17 because of a stress fracture in his back.

"All the way through school he would have a go at everything," Mr Singleton said.

Weston discovered skeleton through UK Sport's Discover Your Gold talent-spotting scheme and made his Olympic debut in Beijing in 2022.

Since "going from strength to strength" after he left school, Weston has returned to speak to pupils and visit his former teachers, Mr Singleton said.

Weston and his achievements are showcased on a wall within the school dedicated to celebrating the sporting achievements of alumni, and pupils have been encouraged to watch him compete in the Games.

"(Weston shows) there's no ceiling on what you can achieve, you've just got to find out what it is for you that's your 'thing', Mr Singleton said.

"You've just got to work hard and go for whatever it is for you that's your passion."

After scooping gold on Friday, Weston said: "(It means) everything.

"It means a hell of a lot to me personally, I have worked so hard for this.

"Everyone back at home, my fiancee, my family, my friends, everyone that has sacrificed for me to be here. I have missed funerals, birthdays, everything for this moment and it feels amazing.

"Even if you're not part of my close circle, if you play the National Lottery you're supporting me as well so thank you so much. Hopefully I did you proud."

On X, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reacted to news of the win and wrote: "History-making. Congratulations Matt Weston!"

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