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Nathan Paré’s quest for gold at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games came to an abrupt end on day six of the Winter Games.
The second snowboard quarterfinal of the day didn’t go the way Paré probably hoped, with the American competing near last place for most of the race. Paré gained momentum in a turn, but his snowboard got mixed up with that of Spaniard Lucas Eguibar Breton.
Part of the rear part of Paré’s board seemed to come into contact with Eguibar Breton’s board. The collision ultimately caused the Spaniard to lose his balance and fall.
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Nathan Pare of the United States reacts after being penalized and placed last in a men’s snowboard cross quarterfinal heat during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Livigno Snow Park on February 12, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
Paré retained his third place after the incident. He then rallied to first place on the last jump of the course. Paré’s celebration mode didn’t last long, as the judges quickly launched into a review of how the quarter-finals had gone.
The judges then determined that Paré had been disqualified from the competition, citing the collision. The decision prompted a pointed response from Paré.
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“This is insane,” Pare appears to have heard over television microphones, referring to the judges’ decision.
Nathan Pare of Team USA speaks to an official after being placed last following a review in the men’s snowboard cross quarterfinals on day six of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Livigno Snow Park on February 12, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
The broadcasters present for the live broadcast of the quarter-finals also spoke.
“He trips a little bit and he doesn’t see it there,” one presenter said. “…It didn’t seem to be intentional.”
When it comes to interference, the snowboard cross rules outline three categories: intentional, unintentional and accidental. In two of these cases, unintentional and accidental, a competitor would typically be penalized with a yellow card – which effectively serves as a warning. But anything deemed intentional contact is punishable by a red card and disqualification.
Nathan Pare of Team USA competes in the first men’s snowboard cross event on day six of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Livigno Snow Park on February 12, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Since the judges ruled that the collision involving Paré was intentional, he was unable to advance to the semi-finals. Instead, Jonas Chollet and Loan Bozzolo, both French, advanced to the next round.
