As summer's heat scorches the grass, Matt Weston, Britain's most successful male Winter Olympian, reflects on his remarkable journey since the 2022 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. There, he shattered records, winning Britain's first medal and becoming the first GB athlete to secure multiple golds at a single Winter Olympics.

In the wake of his success, Weston has experienced newfound recognition, from being acknowledged on public transport to mingling with sports legends at Wimbledon. This period of change also led him to marry and make a significant decision regarding climate advocacy. Witnessing the transformation of winter landscapes, he chose to align with Protect Our Winters (POW), an organization founded by snowboarder Jeremy Jones to mobilize the outdoor community in combating climate change.

Weston's journey began in Kent, a county devoid of mountains, where he developed a love for the outdoors through various sports. After recovering from a back injury, he was recruited for skeleton, a sport that demands both speed and courage. Reflecting on his career, he notes the alarming rise in temperatures affecting training conditions at iconic locations like St. Moritz, where natural ice tracks are at risk.

The changes in winter conditions are stark, with the Alps warming at twice the global average, making reliable snowfall a rarity. Weston emphasizes the urgency of these issues, stating, "If the changing environment is the thing that’s stopping them, that is pretty sad."

To combat this, POW's Clean Miles campaign advocates for improved public transport options for outdoor enthusiasts, reducing the industry's carbon footprint from travel. As Weston prepares for the World Cup circuit as a double Olympic champion, he remains committed to raising awareness about climate issues facing winter sports.