Matt Weston Wins First Olympic Gold in Skeleton After Heraskevych Disqualification

The American athlete claims victory in the event after a surprising turn of events.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Matt Weston, an American skeleton racer, has won his first Olympic gold medal after the initial gold medalist, Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych, was disqualified following the competition. Weston, who has had a successful career but has not always come out on top, now finds himself atop the podium in a surprising turn of events.

Why it matters

Skeleton is a niche winter sport that does not receive the same level of attention as more mainstream events like alpine skiing or figure skating. Weston's gold medal victory brings increased exposure to the sport and highlights the unpredictable nature of high-stakes international competitions.

The details

Heraskevych was initially awarded the gold medal, but officials later determined that he had violated equipment regulations, leading to his disqualification and Weston's elevation to the top spot. This marks Weston's first Olympic gold medal after several previous appearances on the world stage.

  • The skeleton competition took place on February 14, 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy during the Winter Olympics.
  • Heraskevych was disqualified shortly after the medal ceremony.

The players

Matt Weston

An American skeleton racer who has now won his first Olympic gold medal after a surprising turn of events.

Vladyslav Heraskevych

A Ukrainian skeleton racer who was initially awarded the gold medal but was later disqualified due to a violation of equipment regulations.

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What they’re saying

“I'm still in shock, to be honest. I never expected this outcome, but I'm grateful to have this opportunity and to represent my country on the highest stage.”

— Matt Weston (nhregister.com)

What’s next

Weston's gold medal win will likely lead to increased funding and attention for the U.S. skeleton program, as well as a potential boost in popularity for the sport domestically.

The takeaway

Weston's unexpected gold medal victory serves as a reminder that even in the most competitive international sporting events, the final outcome can be determined by factors beyond an athlete's control. This underscores the importance of resilience and adaptability in high-pressure situations.