Vincent Hancock Makes History with Fourth Olympic Gold Medal in Men’s Skeet

Vincent Hancock cemented his place in Olympic history on Saturday morning by winning his fourth gold medal in the Men’s Skeet event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This victory makes Hancock the first shooter in Olympic history to secure four gold medals in the same event.

A former sergeant in the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit and an alumnus of Troy University, Hancock showcased his exceptional skill and poise under pressure. He triumphed in a dramatic showdown against his student, Conner Prince, in the final round of the competition. The duel was fiercely competitive, with Hancock scoring 58 out of 60 shots to Prince’s 57, a narrow margin that highlighted the high stakes and intense focus required in the sport.

The finals saw shooters being eliminated one by one until only Hancock and Prince remained. When Taiwan’s Lee Meng-yuan claimed the bronze medal, it set the stage for an exciting head-to-head battle for gold. Hancock had two early misses but showed remarkable composure to hit his last 26 targets consecutively. Prince, who was performing admirably, missed one shot in his final sequence, giving Hancock the opportunity to clinch the victory.

After making his last two shots to ensure his historic win, Hancock turned to share a heartfelt hug with Prince, who took home the silver medal. Their camaraderie and mutual respect were evident, highlighting the spirit of sportsmanship that defines the Olympic Games.

This latest achievement adds to the U.S. shooting team’s success in Paris, bringing their total medal count to three. The team celebrated its first medal on Friday when Sagen Maddalena won a silver in the women’s 50-meter three positions rifle.

Hancock’s Olympic journey began in 2008, and he has since won gold in skeet at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2012 London Olympics, and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. His unparalleled success makes him the only Olympic skeet shooter to win gold medals in the same event in consecutive Games and the only shooter to win the gold more than once.

As the 2024 Paris Olympics continue, Vincent Hancock’s historic victory in the Men’s Skeet will be remembered as a testament to his enduring excellence and dedication to his sport.