A round-robin men’s curling match between Canada and Sweden at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics erupted into a heated confrontation after Swedish curler Oskar Eriksson accused Canada’s Marc Kennedy of “double touching” a stone.
The allegation, which claims a player touched the rock again after initially releasing it, sparked a furious reaction from Kennedy, who repeatedly denied breaking any rules and used expletives during the dispute. Canada eventually won the match 8-6, but the incident left officials and spectators focused more on the confrontation than the competition itself.
Officials Issue Warning and Heightened Monitoring to Ensure Fair Play Enforcement
The World Curling Committee responded by issuing a verbal warning to Canadian officials regarding Kennedy’s language, emphasizing that further inappropriate conduct could result in additional sanctions. To prevent similar situations, starting with Saturday afternoon’s session, two officials were assigned to closely monitor deliveries across four matches, including games featuring both Canada and Sweden.
Canada Sweden Curling Clash Sparks Heated Exchange Over Alleged Rule ViolationKennedy, a 44-year-old veteran with four Olympic appearances, expressed frustration after the match, saying, “I don’t like being accused of cheating after 25 years on tour and four Olympic Games. So, I told him where to stick it. Because we’re the wrong team to do that to.”
Eriksson, for his part, maintained that his intention was not personal, but rather to ensure fair play. “We want a game that is as sportsmanlike, honest, and clean as possible,” he said, adding that he called out the alleged violation as soon as he noticed it.
Curling Rules and Tensions Highlight Need for Fair Play and Clear Enforcement Standards
The rules of curling stipulate that a stone must be released from the handle before crossing the hog line, and touching it again during its path is prohibited. Replays suggested Kennedy may have touched the stone with a finger on the granite as it neared the hog line, although officials monitoring the game for three ends recorded no violations.
The incident highlights the intensity of Olympic curling, where disputes over minor infractions can escalate quickly. Unlike some other sports, curling does not employ video replay to review such rulings; decisions made during play are final. World Curling stressed that this policy stands and that the focus remains on maintaining fair, honest, and sportsmanlike competition across the tournament.
The match between Canada and Sweden serves as a reminder of how quickly emotions can flare in high-stakes Olympic events and how governing bodies must balance strict enforcement of rules with maintaining the spirit of the game.
