Nathan Pare Disqualified for Collision After Winning Olympic Gold
Nathan Pare’s excitement over his first Olympic victory in men’s snowboard cross was abruptly halted. The 21-year-old American athlete was disqualified during the quarterfinal round at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on February 12, 2026. This unexpected turn of events occurred after a collision with Spain’s Lucas Eguibar.
Nathan Pare’s Collision and Disqualification
While navigating a bend, Pare attempted to accelerate from fourth to third place. Unfortunately, he made contact with the 32-year-old Eguibar. The impact caused Eguibar to lose his balance and fall into the powder. Despite Pare’s push on the last jump to secure a finishing position ahead of French competitors Jonas Chollet and Loan Bozzolo, judges assessed the collision as intentional.
Judges’ Ruling
- The incident was classified as “intentional” interference.
- This classification is one of three types: involuntary, incidental, and intentional.
- Intentional interference occurs when a rider creates contact with a competitor deliberately.
As a result, Pare received a red card, leading to his disqualification from the event. Teams were left to process the immediate aftermath, with Chollet and Bozzolo proceeding to the semifinals. However, Aidan Chollet, Jonas’s brother, placed fourth in the big final and did not win a medal.
Pare’s Olympic Aspirations
Nathan Pare’s Olympic journey began in Milan, marking a significant milestone in his athletic career. He expressed his lifelong dream of competing in the Olympics and shared his gratitude for the support he received from family and coaches.
He reflected on the challenges faced over the years, including sacrifices and moments of doubt. As he stated on Instagram in January, “With the huge amount of support, the dream is becoming a reality.” The Winter Olympics will continue until February 22, 2026, showcasing numerous athletes from around the world.
