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Nathan Pare’s bid for gold at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games came to an abrupt end on Day 6 of the Winter Games.
The second snowboard quarterfinal event of the day did not go as Pare likely expected, as the American competed near last place for most of the race. Paré gained some momentum in a turn, but his snowboard became entangled with that of Spaniard Lucas Eguibar Bretón.
Part of the back of Paré’s board appeared to make contact with Eguibar Bretón’s board. The collision ended up causing the Spaniard to lose his balance and fall.
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Nathan Pare of the United States reacts after being penalized and ranked last in a men’s snowboard cross quarterfinal heat during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park on February 12, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Image Images)
Paré maintained his third place after the incident. Then he climbed to first position on the last jump of the course. Paré’s celebratory mode did not last long, as the judges quickly initiated a review of the quarterfinals.
The judges then determined that Pare was disqualified from the competition, citing the collision. The decision prompted a direct response from Pare.
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“That’s crazy,” the television microphones seemed to capture Paré saying in reference to the judges’ ruling.
Team USA’s Nathan Pare talks to an official after being classified last following a review in the Men’s Snowboard Cross quarterfinals on day six of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park on February 12, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
The announcers on duty for the live broadcast of the quarterfinals also participated.
“He stumbles a little bit and doesn’t see it back there,” an announcer said. “…That doesn’t seem like it was on purpose.”
When it comes to interference, the snowboard cross rule book outlines three categories: intentional, unintentional and incidental. In two of those cases, involuntary and incidental, a competitor would normally be penalized with a yellow card, which effectively serves as a warning. But anything that is considered intentional contact is eligible for a red card and disqualification.
Nathan Pare of Team USA competes in race one of the Men’s Snowboard Cross Seeding on day six of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park on February 12, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Since the judges ruled that the collision involving Pare was intentional, he was unable to advance to the semifinals. Instead, Jonas Chollet and Loan Bozzolo, both from France, advanced to the next round.
