Olympic Curling Scandal: Cheating Allegations and Profanity Erupt

The recent Winter Olympics have brought unexpected tension to the usually calm sport of curling. A significant controversy erupted during a match between Canada’s Marc Kennedy and Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson, leading to cheating allegations and heated exchanges.

Match Overview

On February 14, 2026, Canada faced Sweden in a round-robin match. The game concluded with Canada winning 8-6. However, the play was marred by accusations of foul play.

Cheating Allegations

Oskar Eriksson accused Marc Kennedy of “double-touching” a stone, which refers to making contact with the rock again after its initial release. This allegation ignited a fierce dispute. Kennedy responded with expletives, vehemently denying any wrongdoing.

Statements from Players

• Marc Kennedy stated, “I don’t like being accused of cheating after 25 years on tour and four Olympic Games.”
• He emphasized that his team would not tolerate such accusations.
• Oskar Eriksson expressed the desire for a game defined by sportsmanship, stating, “We want a game that is as sportsmanlike, honest and clean as possible.”

Official Response

Following the match, World Curling addressed the incident by warning the Canadian team regarding Kennedy’s language. The governing body stressed that “further inappropriate behavior would result in additional sanctions,” which could include suspension.

Rules and Monitoring

The rules dictate that a stone must be thrown using its handle and released before reaching the hog line, a thick green line marking the throwing boundary. Replays of the match suggested Kennedy may have violated this rule, as he appeared to touch the stone again with his finger as it neared the hog line.

In the early stages of the game, Sweden had alerted officials to their concerns. Subsequently, an official monitored the match closely, but no violations were observed during the first three ends. World Curling confirmed that game decisions are final, and video replays are not utilized in this sport.

Future Implications

Beginning with the afternoon session on February 15, two officials will be assigned to oversee deliveries in matches involving both Canada and Sweden. This increase in oversight aims to uphold the integrity of the sport amidst the ongoing controversy.

This scandal highlights the challenges of maintaining sportsmanship in high-stakes Olympic competition. As tensions mount, the world of curling watches closely for further developments.