Matt Weston and Tabitha Stoecker made history at the Winter Olympics, winning three gold medals in skeleton, sparking an unprecedented surge of interest in the sport across Great Britain. Since the Games, over 7,000 people have signed up for a talent identification campaign launched by the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association (BBSA), aiming to discover future stars in both skeleton and bobsleigh.

During the two days that Weston and Stoecker secured their gold medals, approximately 2,400 individuals signed up—1,200 each day—highlighting the significant impact of their achievements. Despite the lack of an ice track in the UK, skeleton has seen a remarkable post-Games boom.

Having those 7,000 applicants is a tangible sign of our impact on the nation,

Both athletes were products of a UK Sport initiative called 'Discover Your Gold', which assesses potential athletes and directs them to suitable sports. Weston transitioned from weightlifting, while Stoecker discovered the sport through an Instagram advert while working as a circus performer.

Testing sessions have already commenced, with 1,600 of the applicants invited to participate. This exceeded the BBSA's initial target of 1,000 applicants before the Games.

Stoecker noted, "The sport is quite niche, and the exposure outside the Games is limited. Capitalizing on this moment will have a significant impact on the future of our sport."

Both athletes join a legacy of British skeleton success, including Amy Williams and Lizzy Yarnold. Weston, at 29, became the first British man to win gold in the sport, while Stoecker, 26, debuted at the Games, expressing her desire to inspire individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue winter sports.