Canada’s men’s curling team clinched Olympic gold amid explosive cheating allegations that exposed glaring weaknesses in international sports governance, raising alarms about fairness in global competitions.
Story Highlights
- Canada defeated Great Britain 9-6 for gold on February 21, 2026, at Milano Cortina Olympics, marking their fourth men’s curling gold.
- Swedish curler Oskar Eriksson accused Marc Kennedy of illegal “double-touching” stones on February 13, sparking heated confrontation.
- World Curling cleared Canada after umpire observations found no violations, despite video evidence from Sweden.
- Controversy spread to multiple teams, including Great Britain and Canada’s women, revealing systemic officiating flaws.
- Marc Kennedy claimed Sweden “set up” Canada with hidden filming, highlighting tensions in a sport prized for sportsmanship.
Timeline of the Curling Controversy
On February 13, 2026, Canada beat Sweden 8-6 in round-robin play at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Swedish curler Oskar Eriksson immediately accused Canadian third Marc Kennedy of double-touching a stone after release at the hog line, an infraction that removes the stone from play. The on-ice dispute escalated tensions in curling, a sport long celebrated for its gentlemanly conduct and self-policing. This incident shattered that image, drawing global attention to rule enforcement.
World Curling’s Investigation and Response
World Curling launched umpire observations on February 14 after Switzerland joined Sweden in accusing Canada. Officials noted they could not view every delivery from their end-sheet position but focused on three ends per flagged player. No violations occurred during monitored games that evening. The governing body deployed two officials across four sheets but rejected video replay, deeming umpire calls final. This half-measure failed to quell doubts about transparency in Olympic-level competition.
Marc Kennedy countered that Sweden’s SVT broadcaster placed a camera strategically at the hog line to “set him up.” He admitted possibly touching the stone before the hog line but insisted post-release contact on the granite—not the handle—was the disputed issue, which rules permit. Kennedy’s defense underscored interpretive gray areas in curling regulations that demand clearer definitions.
Broader Scandals Involving Multiple Teams
The controversy transcended Canada. Great Britain’s Bobby Lammie lost a stone to double-touching against Germany. Canadian women’s curler Rachel Homan suffered the same penalty the next day. Sweden faced backlash for improper filming, while Switzerland lodged similar claims. These incidents proved double-touching plagues curling championships repeatedly, yet Olympic pressure amplified the fallout. Umpires admitted witnessing infractions without consistent enforcement, eroding trust in the sport’s integrity.
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Lasting Damage to Sportsmanship and Olympic Legacy
Canada’s 9-6 gold medal win over Great Britain on February 21 secured their fourth Olympic triumph, echoing the 2014 victory over the same foe. Yet public perception taints the achievement with an asterisk due to unresolved video evidence discrepancies. World Curling’s clearance closed the probe, but stakeholders question investigative rigor. Great Britain endured a second straight silver heartbreak. Sweden forfeited competitive edge despite evidence. The saga demands technological upgrades to safeguard fair play.
Traditional curling values of honor among longtime rivals crumbled under Olympic stakes. A Swedish curler lamented heated exchanges replacing camaraderie among athletes known for two decades. This precedent may deter future accusations or embolden gamesmanship. As President Trump champions American excellence abroad, such international lapses remind us why robust oversight protects merit-based victories, much like securing borders against unfair intrusions. Curling must evolve to match competitive realities.
Sources:
ESPN: Team GB-Canada curling final controversy explained
