Team GB hero Matt Weston in disbelief as he is requested about his ‘little Matt’ on reside radio
Matt Weston won two gold medals for Team GB in the skeleton at the Winter Olympics, but the high-speed sport does come with some drawbacks
Tabby Stoecker and Matt Weston’s faces were both pictures after being asked one particular question
Team GB’s double gold medallist Matt Weston was left utterly stunned after being quizzed about potential genital injuries on live radio.
The Brit has showcased the excitement of skeleton at the Winter Olympics – though the high-speed sport does come with its risks. Weston made history for Team GB in Cortina, following Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale’s triumph in the snowboard cross mixed team event.
The 28-year-old was completely dominant in the event, becoming the first British athlete to secure two golds at a Winter Olympics. His partnership with Tabitha Stoecker capped off an extraordinary day for Team GB on Sunday, following Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale’s triumph in the snowboard cross mixed team event.
This achievement has thrust Weston into instant stardom, resulting in invitations to feature on breakfast radio programmes on Monday to discuss his success. Nevertheless, during his slot on after claiming both individual gold and mixed team gold in the skeleton, Weston encountered an unusual enquiry from a listener.
Host Chris Moyles asked on their behalf whether Weston had ever injured his genitals whilst racing down the track at maximum speeds of 126 km/h (78mph). Laughing, he replied: “What a question!”
“I’ve been very, very fortunate not to, but I know a few people who have landed wrong, and it’s quite… You can’t obviously then stop; we have no brakes.
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“So, you kind of have to stay uncomfortable down the run. But, yeah, I’ve never been asked that live on the radio before!”
Weston has suffered severe injuries in his sport; however, having fractured his back three years ago. He told the BBC: “Skeleton isn’t the safest of sports, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun when you get it right.”
Despite the dangers, he encouraged people to try skeleton. Weston said: “The sport runs off people applying, giving it a shot and taking the opportunity with both hands. I didn’t think I would ever be going to the Games competing in skeleton nine years ago … it’s been an amazing journey.”
Weston only found skeleton after attempting other sports, originally taekwondo at international level for England before switching to rugby, playing for Kent, Sevenoaks and Saracens Academy in his youth. A weightlifting coach convinced him to join the UK Sport talent identification programme, Discover Your Gold, in 2017, which introduced him to skeleton.
Stoecker, who also finished fifth in the women’s skeleton finals, came to the sport through a comparable path after seeing a social media advert. She said on BBC Breakfast: “I did flying trapeze, acrobatics, and I absolutely loved the performance element of it all.
“I saw an advert on Instagram for the Discover Your Gold Talent ID process and got selected for skeleton, and I guess the rest is history.”
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