Matt Antoine, Olympian who trains in Arizona, places 11th in skeleton
Feb 16, 2018, 10:18 AM
(Twitter/@MattAntoine)
PHOENIX — An Olympic athlete who was training in Arizona for the skeleton competition did not medal in what could be his last shot at the big leagues.
Wisconsin native Matt Antoine placed 11th in the skeleton final on Thursday during the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Antoine trains with Altis, a professional track training program in Phoenix.
#TeamUSA's @MattAntoine and @JohnDalyUSA finish in 11th and 16th, respectively, in the men's skeleton final.
It has been a pleasure to follow your journeys. pic.twitter.com/kxc41KMUlq
— U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) February 16, 2018
The results were a far cry from what the 32-year-old was hoping for, especially after taking home the bronze medal at the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Antoine said this year’s competition went “every direction except the one I expected.”
Related: Arizona native, wife make history in Olympics skating competition
“I can’t help but feel that I let down my family, friends, hometown, and all my supporters around the USA and the world with this year’s results,” the statement read.
“That’s the competitor side of me though, I always want to perform well for not just me, but you as well.”
Antoine also did not commit one way or the other to coming back to compete in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
“I don’t know what is next for me and I’m not going to rush to any decision, but I do have a furry and four-legged best friend waiting for me back home that I can’t wait to spend time with!”
This year’s Winter Olympics were scheduled to end Feb. 25.