The serene world of curling faced unprecedented turmoil at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where accusations of cheating, profanity, and rule adjustments dominated headlines. The controversy—centered on “double-touching” stones—began during a men’s round-robin match between Canada and Sweden, spiraling into debates over officiating, ethics, and the sport’s future. As teams navigated high-stakes play, the incident underscored curling’s cherished self-policing tradition clashing with Olympic pressure, prompting widespread calls for technological intervention.
The Spark: Canada vs Sweden Clash
Tensions ignited in the Canada-Sweden men’s match when Swedish vice-skip Oskar Eriksson accused Canada’s Marc Kennedy of double-touching—releasing the handle correctly but allegedly nudging the stone body for correction, a violation under Rule R.5(d).
Kennedy reacted with expletives, telling Eriksson where to “stick it.” Sweden referenced post-match video evidence, prompting Canadian claims of a premeditated sting operation with illicit filming.
Canada won 8-6, but the exchange overshadowed play. Similar accusations followed in Canada’s victory over Switzerland, amplifying scrutiny.
Rule Clarifications and Protocol Shifts
World Curling reviewed footage, confirming Kennedy touched only the handle—legal for stabilization pre-hog line. No violation occurred, and results stood, as curling decisions are final without video re-umpiring.
Initially, extra umpires monitored deliveries across sheets. Complaints over inconsistency—Canadian women’s skip Rachel Homan and Britain’s Bobby Lammie penalized for accidental lingering fingers—led to reversal.
Protocols shifted to team-requested monitoring for minimum three ends, aiming fairness while preserving spirit.
| Timeline of Key Events | Date (2026) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Canada vs Sweden Match | February 14 | Eriksson accuses Kennedy; swearing exchange |
| Canada vs Switzerland | February 15 | Similar accusation; no action |
| Initial Umpire Addition | February 15 | Extra officials deployed |
| Protocol Change | February 16 | Team-requested monitoring implemented |
Broader Incidents and Team Impacts
The row extended beyond men: Homan’s stone removed for minor contact; Lammie’s similar fate. No intent suggested, but haphazard execution frustrated competitors.
Canada’s teams—defending mixed doubles gold contenders—faced heightened scrutiny, yet progressed strongly.
Proposals for Modernization
The drama fueled suggestions for video technology. Team GB’s Hammy McMillan advocated VAR or Hawk-Eye with limited challenges: “You’ve got to be dead certain… It would modernize curling.”
Experts note sensors already detect hog-line violations; expanding to double-touch could resolve disputes transparently.
Curling’s ethos—trust, respect—remains core, but Olympic intensity exposes limitations in self-governance.
Curling’s Spirit Amid Pressure
Incidents are rare in a sport priding self-officiation. This controversy—swearing, accusations, filming claims—stands out, reflecting stakes where medals and legacies collide.
World Curling emphasized dialogue and unity, protecting integrity without sanctions beyond language warnings.
As Milano Cortina continues, the row adds intrigue to a captivating tournament. Curling’s charm lies in precision and honor; this episode tests both, sparking evolution discussions.
For fans, it humanizes athletes: passion beneath composure. The debate endures: tradition versus technology in pursuit of fairness.
