Team GB arrive back in UK after record-breaking Winter Olympics as heroes visibly moved at emotional reunion

Ed Griffiths

By Ed Griffiths


Published: 23/02/2026

- 13:23

Updated: 23/02/2026

- 14:33

The team has delivered an unprecedented performance at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, securing three gold medals alongside one silver and one bronze

Team GB's athletes have arrived back in the UK after the nation's most successful Winter Olympics ever.

The competitors touched down at London's Gatwick Airport on Monday morning, where they were met by crowds of fans, friends and family.


Team GB has delivered an unprecedented performance at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, securing three gold medals alongside one silver and one bronze.

This remarkable haul represents Britain's finest showing at any Winter Games in history.

Team GB

Team GB's athletes have arrived back in the UK after the nation's most successful Winter Olympics ever

|

PA

The five-medal tally saw the British contingent claim 15th position in the final standings, comfortably surpassing UK Sport's expectations.

Norway dominated proceedings with 18 golds, whilst the United States finished second and the Netherlands third.

For the first time, British athletes captured multiple gold medals at a single Winter Olympics, establishing the nation as an emerging force in disciplines traditionally dominated by Alpine and Nordic nations.

Matt Weston, who was pictured wearing his medals on return and was greeted with a loud cheer, emerged as the standout performer of these Games, etching his name into British sporting history with an extraordinary double triumph.

Team GB

Team GB touched down at London's Gatwick Airport on Monday morning

|

PA

The reigning world champion first claimed gold in the men's skeleton, becoming the inaugural British male to secure Olympic victory in this event.

His commanding display on the ice ended a week-long wait for Team GB's opening medal of the competition.

Mere hours later, Weston partnered with Tabitha Stoecker in the mixed team skeleton, where he overcame a substantial gap on the concluding run to secure victory.

This achievement made him the first British athlete ever to claim two gold medals at a single Winter Olympics.

Team GB

Team GB were greeted by friends and family

|

PA

Team GB

For the first time British athletes captured multiple gold medals at a single Winter Olympics

|

PA

Tabby Stoecker told Sky News on arrival: "This welcome has been completely overwhelming. I don't think it's quite hit me yet how much the nation had got behind us and that's just incredible, especially for our sport which is quite niche so we don't always get that much attention."

Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale wrote their own chapter in British Olympic history during what became known as 'Super Sunday' in the Italian Alps.

The pair delivered Britain's maiden gold medal on snow, triumphing in the mixed team snowboard cross.

Both athletes entered the competition as reigning world champions, and they proved worthy of that status on the grandest stage.

Team GB

Team GB established the nation as an emerging force in disciplines traditionally dominated by Alpine and Nordic nations

|

PA

Nightingale said: "It feels amazing around my neck. It's just a crazy thing to think that I'm a gold medallist now, it's been a long journey.

"Being there, you don't realise how big it's actually become in the UK."

"It's an amazing feeling to see how people are supporting us, it being a winter games just means even more for us, for all the support."

Bankes produced a spectacular final leg, crossing the finish line ahead of the field in a gripping conclusion to the event.

Team GB

Great Britain's Huw Nightingale during the Team GB Homecoming

|

PA

Their victory marked a watershed moment for British winter sports, breaking new ground beyond the traditional ice-based disciplines.

The men's curling quartet of Bruce Mouat, Grant Hardie, Hammy McMillan and Bobby Lammie claimed silver following a hard-fought final against Canada.

Their efforts fell just short of ending a 102-year drought for British men's curling gold.

Hardie told the broadcaster: "You put so much into so many hours of training, and it's just going to be nice to have a complete switch off".

Team GB

Team GB were met with a cheer from the crowd waiting

|

PA

He added that he would "not think about curling for a few months at least, and [would] try to get on the golf course."

Zoe Atkin rounded off the medal collection on the final day, securing bronze in the women's freeski halfpipe.

She described the experience as "surreal," saying her medal was "really heavy, but it feels really good".

Atkin spoke of her sister, who won bronze in 2018, as a "huge inspiration" and "to be able to back her up eight years later with my own bronze is just so special".