Quick Read
- A curling match between Canada and Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics saw cheating allegations and a profane insult.
- Canadian Marc Kennedy was accused by Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson of illegally double-touching stones.
- Kennedy denied the accusation, and the Swedish Olympic Committee will not seek an investigation.
- The incident has been dubbed the “Great Curling Kerfuffle of 2026” and is part of a broader narrative about Canada’s Olympic performance.
- The U.S. men’s curling team has been eliminated, while the U.S. women’s team needs a win to advance to the semifinals.
CORTINA (Azat TV) – The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina have been rocked by a heated dispute on the curling ice, as an Olympic match between Canada and Sweden descended into chaos following cheating allegations and a profane insult. The incident, which has been dubbed the “Great Curling Kerfuffle of 2026,” has drawn significant attention to the intensity of the competition at the Games and raised questions about sportsmanship, even as the tournament continues to unfold with teams vying for crucial playoff spots.
The controversy flared during a Friday match where Canada ultimately defeated Sweden 8-6. Canadian third Marc Kennedy and Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson became embroiled in a verbal altercation after Eriksson accused Kennedy of an illegal procedure known as double-touching stones after releasing them beyond the hog line. Kennedy vehemently denied the accusation, shouting, “I haven’t done it once. You can f— off,” at Eriksson, according to reports from The National Review.
The Curling Controversy Unfolds at Milan-Cortina
The core of the dispute centers on World Curling policy, which prohibits a thrower from touching a moving stone beyond the hog line. However, touching the rock before the line is not considered a violation. Kennedy maintained his innocence, stating his long career on tour and his respect for Eriksson, yet expressing his strong dislike for being accused of cheating. He noted that a hog line official was present for six ends without raising any issues, making Eriksson’s accusation in the ninth end particularly contentious. Despite the public confrontation, Swedish team leader Fredrik Lindberg stated that the Swedish Olympic Committee would not seek an official investigation into the events of the game.
This incident has become a significant talking point, especially for Canada, whose overall Olympic performance has been under scrutiny. Early in the Games, Canada found itself with more viral moments than medals, and the curling kerfuffle quickly became a central part of the narrative. The country’s mixed doubles curling team previously missed the playoffs with a 4-5 record, and the women’s team, despite being reigning world champions, faced early losses to the U.S., Great Britain, and Switzerland. However, the women’s team, led by Rachel Homan, has since rebounded with crucial wins, strengthening their playoff chances. The men’s team continues its round-robin play, with the finals scheduled for Saturday and Sunday for the men’s and women’s tournaments, respectively.
Olympic Curling Tournament Status and Team Fates
Beyond the Canadian-Swedish drama, the Olympic curling tournament has seen other significant developments. The U.S. men’s curling team, based in Minnesota, was eliminated from the competition on Thursday after losing its final three games in round-robin play. In contrast, the Minnesota-based U.S. women’s curling team controls its own destiny, needing a win today to secure a semifinal spot. These high stakes underscore the intense pressure and strategic gameplay characteristic of Olympic curling, where every stone and every decision can dramatically alter a team’s fate.
The curling events are taking place at the dedicated Olympic Curling Stadium in Cortina, one of the three curling competitions hosted during the 2026 Winter Olympics. The sport, while originating in Scotland, holds a special place in Canada, often associated with a stereotype of polite sportsmanship. The recent on-ice confrontation has challenged this image, highlighting the raw emotions and fierce competitive spirit that emerge when national pride and Olympic medals are on the line. As the Games progress, the focus remains on which teams will navigate the strategic complexities and emotional pressures to claim Olympic glory.
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are proving to be a stage where the pursuit of victory can sometimes push the boundaries of traditional sportsmanship, as evidenced by the high-profile curling dispute, adding an unexpected layer of drama to the intense competition.