What started as a routine preliminary curling match at the Winter Olympics quickly turned into one of the most talked-about moments of the Games. During a tense showdown between Canada and Sweden, accusations of a rules violation escalated into a heated exchange on the ice — including a blunt remark from a Canadian player that drew immediate attention. As debate swirled online and among fans, Curling Canada stepped forward with an official statement addressing both the cheating allegation and the language used during the match.
The controversy unfolded during the men’s curling preliminary round on February 13, when Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson accused Canada’s Marc Kennedy of committing a “double touch” during a stone release. Under curling rules, a double touch before the hog line is permitted, but any re-touch after the hog line — or touching the granite instead of the handle during delivery — is not allowed. Swedish players believed Kennedy may have made improper contact with the stone after releasing it. The accusation prompted a frustrated response from Kennedy, who firmly denied wrongdoing and used strong language in the process. Canada ultimately won the match 8–6, but the focus quickly shifted from the scoreboard to the dispute.
Following the game, officials closely monitored subsequent ends for any release infractions. According to Curling Canada’s statement, referees observed the play carefully and found no hog line violations or illegal stone retouches. The organization emphasized that fair play and sportsmanship are core values of the sport, while acknowledging that the Canadian team received a verbal warning for inappropriate language used during the heated exchange. Curling Canada stated it supports the officials’ findings and reaffirmed its commitment to respect on and off the ice.
World Curling also released clarification on the rules surrounding stone delivery. They explained that a double touch of the handle before the hog line is allowed, but re-touching after the hog line is not, and that touching the granite during forward motion would result in the stone being removed from play. After reviewing the situation, Swedish team leadership confirmed that the Swedish Olympic Committee would not pursue a formal investigation. While the matter appears officially closed, the incident has become one of the more dramatic moments of this year’s Winter Games — a reminder that even in sports known for precision and composure, emotions can run high.
