Curling controversy at Milan Cortina: Canada hit with double-touch allegations

The Winter Olympics curling tournament in Cortina d’Ampezzo has been shaken by accusations that members of the Canadian team illegally touched stones after release. What began as a heated exchange on the men’s side quickly spread to the women’s draw, prompting rule reminders from the sport’s governing body and changes to how matches are officiated.

What unfolded on the ice

The allegations erupted after a dispute during a men’s round-robin match when an opponent called out a Canadian curler for contacting the stone after delivery. The exchange escalated on air, with the player at the center of the claim responding angrily and later saying he could not be certain in a split second whether he had double-touched. Video clips shared widely online appeared to show contact in that instance, and the issue quickly became a focal point of commentary across the curling community.

The controversy widened when, in a subsequent women’s match, an umpire stopped play and ordered a stone removed from play for an alleged touch during forward motion. The skip who lost the stone protested and expressed shock, maintaining that neither she nor her team had ever engaged in that practice. Broadcast footage circulated after the call that many viewers interpreted as showing the fingertip of the delivering player grazing the granite.

Both matches proved consequential on the scoreboard. The men’s game ended in favor of the Canadian side, while the women’s team suffered a narrow defeat after the contested stone was taken from play. The sequence of events has left Canada — long regarded as a dominant force in curling — on the defensive, both about technique and reputation.

Rules, officiating changes and reaction

The governing body for the sport issued a clear statement reinforcing that touching the granite of the stone while it is in forward motion is not permitted and will result in removal of the stone from play. The organization also noted that touch of the handle after the hog line is prohibited. In response to the recent incidents, match officials were reassigned so that two umpires would be positioned to observe deliveries across multiple sheets, a step aimed at improving detection and consistency.

Players and coaches have been vocal. Some Canadian team members suggested the controversy felt targeted and hinted that rival teams or their entourages might be looking for infractions. Others acknowledged they would tweak release techniques to avoid any appearance of wrongdoing. Opposing teams, meanwhile, have expressed concern about perceived fairness and consistency of calls.

For fans and casual viewers the controversy is a rare flashpoint in a sport known for sportsmanship and quiet camaraderie. Previous controversies in curling have centered on equipment and sweeping; allegations over delivery touches cut closer to the heart of competitive integrity because they can directly alter outcomes in tight matches.

What this means for Canada and the tournament

The timing is awkward for Canada. The mixed doubles side missed medal contention earlier in the schedule, and both the men’s and women’s teams now face pressure to recover form while defending their integrity on a global stage. Beyond immediate medal prospects, the dispute threatens relationships between teams that have traditionally been respectful rivals.

Officials will continue monitoring deliveries closely, and teams will likely adjust technique or instruction to minimize risk of further infractions. Whether stricter observation produces fewer contentious moments or simply shifts controversy into replay debates remains to be seen. In the short term, the sport faces a test: uphold rules and consistency without letting off-ice tensions overshadow competition.

As the round-robin phase progresses, all eyes will be on how referees enforce delivery rules and how the Canadian teams respond under scrutiny. The outcomes of those games will determine not just standings but whether the episode becomes a brief incident or a defining storyline of the curling tournament at these Games.