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Matt Weston makes history with Winter Olympics Gold

Matt Weston doing the skeleton with olympic rings in the backgroundGetty Images

Matt Weston has made sporting history, winning Team GBs first ever men's gold medal in the skeleton racing at the Winter Olympic Games in Italy.

He set a track record in each of his four runs sealing victory in the final round.

The pressure was on Matt, as Team GB hadn't won any medals at these Olympics since the games started last week.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he thanks his team and said they all deserve a "slice of this medal."

More on the Winter Olympics

Matt Weston wears a red hat and blue coat. He is holding his gold medal up with one hand and the other hand is held in a fist in a celebratory manner. His mouth is open as if he is screaming in celebration. Getty Images

The 28-year-old from Redhill was the favourite to top the podium in Italy, having dominated the sport recently, but no British man had won an Olympic skeleton gold medal before.

He has now added the Olympic crown to his two World Championship titles and three Crystal Globes - the overall World Cup trophies.

Matt has always been sporty and represented England at taekwondo as a teenager, winning various medals at national level, and he was also a gifted rugby player.

But it was through a UK talent spotting programme that Weston discovered his love for the skeleton nine years ago.

Matt on the track with helmet onGetty Images

He is now the first British man to win any gold medal at Winter Games since Dancing On Ice judge Christopher Dean topped the ice dancing podium with partner Jayne Torvill in 1984.

His success may not end there as Matt will partner Amelia Coltman in the new mixed team event on Sunday.

The women's skeleton team have won a medal at every Winter Olympic Games since 2002.

Christopher Dean dancing with Jayne Torvill in 1984Getty Images

Christopher Dean was the last British man to win a Winter Olympic gold medal when he topped the ice dancing podium alongside Jayne Torvill in 1984

During this Olympics Matt set a track record on all four of his runs and could have eased off in his final attempt, having already built a significant margin of 0.39 seconds.

However, he ramped things up for a victory lap lasting 55.61secs, finishing with a sensational overall time of 3:43.33.

Matt Weston cheeringGetty Images

Skeleton is considered the world's first sliding sport.

Athletes run and push a sledge along the ice before lying face down on the sled, using their body to steer it down the track going speeds of up to 80mph.

Despite having no ice tracks in the UK to train on, skeleton is one of Team GB's most successful winter sports.