Matt Weston wins first Olympic gold in skeleton after Heraskevych disqualification

Weston claims victory in dramatic turn of events at 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Matt Weston of the United States won his first Olympic gold medal in the skeleton event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, after the initial gold medalist, Vladyslav Heraskevych of Ukraine, was disqualified for a rules violation.

Why it matters

Weston's victory marks the first Olympic gold medal in the skeleton event for the United States, a significant achievement for the American winter sports program. The disqualification of Heraskevych, who had been the favorite to win, also adds drama and controversy to the event.

The details

Weston, a 28-year-old from Houston, Texas, posted the fastest times in three of the four runs to claim the gold medal. Heraskevych, the defending world champion, had initially finished first but was later disqualified for a violation of equipment regulations.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics took place from February 6-22 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
  • The men's skeleton event was held on February 14, 2026.

The players

Matt Weston

A 28-year-old skeleton racer from Houston, Texas who won his first Olympic gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Vladyslav Heraskevych

The defending world champion in the men's skeleton event who was initially awarded the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics before being disqualified for a rules violation.

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What they’re saying

“I'm still in shock. This is a dream come true, to win Olympic gold for my country.”

— Matt Weston (Houston Chronicle)

What’s next

Weston will be honored at a parade and celebration in his hometown of Houston in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Weston's unexpected gold medal victory highlights the unpredictable nature of the skeleton event and the importance of adhering to equipment regulations at the highest levels of winter sports competition.