News
GB’s Weston Poised to Claim Skeleton Gold Medal
At the Winter Olympics, Matt Weston reinforced his position as the top skeleton pilot globally, achieving a new track record and establishing a substantial advantage at the midway point.
In both heats, Matt Weston recorded the quickest times, setting himself up for a strong position in the competition.
By achieving a track record, Matt Weston reinforced his reputation as a top skeleton pilot, gaining a substantial lead halfway through the Winter Olympics.
The two-time world champion from Team GB, a key medal contender in Milan-Cortina, delivered a notable second run, establishing a 0.30-second advantage over his competitors with two decisive runs remaining on Friday.
Weston's times were 56.21 seconds in the first run and 55.88 seconds in the second, making him the only athlete to break the 56-second barrier.
Following a disappointing initial run, which included a costly collision with the wall near the top of the track, Weston visibly expressed frustration with his performance.
Under pressure from German competitors, Weston improved his technique in the second run, reducing his time by 0.33 seconds to achieve a total of 1 minute 52.09 seconds.
Given the narrow margins that often decide skeleton medals, Weston's celebratory gestures after his second run reflected not only his satisfaction with the improved performance but also the significance of his lead.
Fellow British athlete Marcus Wyatt is currently in seventh place with a combined time of 1:53.21, trailing the medal positions by 0.66 seconds.
Wyatt, who had been a strong medal contender, has struggled with the technical aspects of the Cortina track, making a podium finish increasingly challenging.
The current standings have Axel Jungk, the silver medallist from Beijing, in second place with a time of 1:52.39, and defending champion Christopher Grotheer in third with 1:52.55.
The final two heats will be broadcast live on the BBC, starting at 18:30 GMT on Friday, with the overall results determined by the cumulative times of all four runs.
As Team GB's primary gold medal hopeful, Weston faces added pressure to secure the nation's first medal in these Games, given the disappointing performances of other British contenders.
Weston's dominance in the sport is evident from his recent record, which includes five race victories and two additional podium finishes, culminating in his third consecutive World Cup title.
The pre-Olympic discussions were dominated by the controversy surrounding a new helmet design, which the British team had hoped to wear in Italy.
The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Foundation (IBSF) prohibited the helmet, citing non-compliance with shape regulations due to its aerodynamic advantages.
The British team's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) was unsuccessful, resulting in the helmet being banned from use in the Games.
The athletes maintained that the helmet issue did not affect their performance, pointing out that their successes this season were achieved with the existing helmets.
Historically, GB has been a strong force in skeleton, earning medals in every Olympic Games since the sport's reintroduction in 2002.
However, the 2022 Olympics in Beijing marked a departure from this trend, as Team GB failed to secure a medal, with Weston's 15th-place finish being the highest among the four British competitors.
Weston's performance in Beijing was followed by a period of contemplation about his future in the sport, but he now appears poised to realize his potential on the Olympic stage.
A day-by-day guide to the Winter Olympics is available for viewers.
The full schedule, including medal event times, can be accessed for planning purposes.
The Winter Olympics 2026 medal table will be updated regularly to reflect the ongoing competition.
Viewers can watch live streams, highlights, and updates on BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, and the BBC Sport website and app, with live text commentary and video highlights available.
News
GB’s Bankes knocked out in snowboard cross quarterfinals
Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain has been knocked out of the women's snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, failing to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.
For more Winter Olympics coverage, videos are available to stream.
Access to Winter Olympics video content is restricted to users in the United Kingdom.
News
Family of Murder Victim Expresses Frustration Over Delayed Trial Scheduling
A 21-year-old woman, Chloe Mitchell, lost her life in June 2023, and a man is set to stand trial, facing a murder charge.
The family of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman from Ballymena, is facing further uncertainty as they await the outcome of a trial for her alleged murderer, which may be impacted by an ongoing barristers' strike.

Chloe Mitchell's life was cut short in June 2023, when she was killed in an incident that has left her family and community in shock.
Brandon John Rainey, the man accused of her murder, is scheduled to stand trial on February 23, but the proceedings may be delayed due to the industrial action by defence barristers.
Following a recent court hearing to review trial arrangements, Nadine Mitchell, Chloe's sister, expressed her family's distress and frustration, telling BBC News NI that they are struggling to cope with the uncertainty.
Nadine Mitchell stated that her family has been left with no choice but to wait once again for a resolution, having already endured a prolonged period of anxiety and uncertainty.
The family's emotional turmoil is evident, with Nadine describing the experience as a prolonged period of distress, marked by sleepless nights and unbearable tension.
The Mitchell family is struggling to come to terms with their situation, which has left them feeling overwhelmed and distraught.
The current strike by defence barristers in Northern Ireland, which began last month, is a result of a long-standing dispute over legal aid fees, with barristers arguing that their fees have not kept pace with inflation.
The strike has brought almost all criminal trials in Northern Ireland to a standstill, with the exception of cases where the defendant does not require legal aid.
The Mitchell family has appealed for their case to be treated as an exception, allowing the trial to proceed as scheduled.
Chloe Mitchell, who was 21 at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing in early June 2023, prompting an extensive search operation.
Her remains were discovered about a week later, following a series of searches in the Ballymena area.
Brandon John Rainey was subsequently arrested and charged with Chloe's murder, which is alleged to have taken place between June 2 and June 5, 2023.
Rainey also faces a charge of attempting to prevent the lawful burial of a deceased body.
The dispute between barristers and the Department of Justice centres on the level of legal aid fees, which barristers claim have not increased since 2005.

Barristers argue that the fees have not kept pace with inflation, resulting in a significant decrease in their real-terms value over the past 20 years.
The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has warned that the low fees have created a crisis in the justice system, with many younger barristers refusing to take on legal aid cases due to the low rates of pay.
The CBA has described the strike as a "last resort" in their dispute with the Department of Justice, which has been ongoing for some time.
Despite an announced 16% increase in fees, which is set to take effect in mid-January, the strike has continued, with barristers arguing that the increase does not go far enough to address their concerns.
Chloe's father, George Mitchell, has previously appealed for an exception to be made in their case, allowing the trial to proceed despite the strike.
George Mitchell has argued that any delay to the trial would cause further trauma and distress for the families of victims.
He had invited Justice Minister Naomi Long to meet with him and his wife, Georgina, to discuss the matter further.
However, Minister Long has stated that it is not feasible to allow individual cases to proceed while the dispute over legal aid fees remains unresolved, citing ethical and practical concerns.
The minister has reiterated that the decision to grant exceptions lies with the CBA, which must weigh the competing demands of their members and the needs of the justice system.
News
Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event
The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.
A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.
A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.
The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.
The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.
Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.
Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.
According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.
The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.
Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.
The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.
However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.
Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.
Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.
During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.
The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.
A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.
Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.
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