Canada Player Denies Cheating in Curling Match Against Sweden

A curling match between Canada and Sweden at the Olympics had a big argument. Canada's Marc Kennedy said Sweden wrongly accused him of cheating by touching the stone. He said they misunderstood the rules.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

A recent curling match at the Winter Olympics between Canada and Sweden became a focal point of controversy due to accusations of cheating. The intense exchange involved Marc Kennedy, a Canadian player, who directly confronted an official and expressed his strong disagreement with the claims made by the Swedish team. The dispute centered on a rule interpretation regarding the release of the curling stone, leading to heated words and a significant disruption in the game.

Details of the Controversy

The core of the disagreement appears to stem from an alleged infraction by the Canadian team during their match against Sweden. According to reports, the Swedish team accused Marc Kennedy of touching the curling stone with his pushing hand after releasing the handle, a violation of the rules that requires the stone to be released by the handle at the hog line.

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‘I told him where to stick it’: Cheating claims fly in Canada v Sweden Winter Olympics curling clash - 1

  • The Canadian team maintains that they followed the rules.

  • Marc Kennedy stated that the Swedish team "misread the rules."

  • He also mentioned that the Swedish team had called for a hog line official to verify their actions, suggesting a deliberate attempt to find fault.

  • Kennedy expressed his disbelief and frustration, stating, "I told him where to stick it."

Player and Team Perspectives

Marc Kennedy, the third for Canada's Team Brad Jacobs, was central to the altercation. He has been quoted expressing his strong feelings about the accusations, emphasizing that he would not tolerate being wrongly accused of cheating.

"And he’s still accusing us of cheating. I’ve never said a bad word about Oskar Eriksson. So I told him where to stick it,” Kennedy said. They came out and they misread the rules, sadly. But I’m not going to stand there and take cheating lightly.”

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Oskar Eriksson, a player for the Swedish team, reportedly believed that Kennedy was touching the stone and not the handle, which would have prevented the sensor lights from activating and indicating a violation.

‘I told him where to stick it’: Cheating claims fly in Canada v Sweden Winter Olympics curling clash - 2

Eriksson said he and his teammates believed Kennedy was touching the stone and not the handle containing the sensor, meaning the red lights did not flash.

The incident highlights the competitive nature of Olympic sports and the scrutiny applied to every action.

Rules and Interpretation in Curling

Curling has specific rules governing the release of the stone, particularly at the hog line. Players must release the stone from its handle before it reaches this line. Technology, including sensors in the handles, is used to detect potential rule breaches, such as double-touching or releasing the stone too late.

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‘I told him where to stick it’: Cheating claims fly in Canada v Sweden Winter Olympics curling clash - 3

  • The Swedish team's claim focused on Marc Kennedy potentially making contact with the stone itself, rather than solely with the handle, after the release point.

  • The Canadian team's defense, as articulated by Kennedy, suggests the Swedish team misinterpreted the situation or the applicable rule.

The use of hog line officials indicates the importance placed on these rules for maintaining fair play.

Broader Context of Cheating Allegations in Sports

While this specific incident involves a dispute over rule interpretation, it occurs against a backdrop where cheating allegations have surfaced in various sports, including recent instances involving Canadian teams in different disciplines.

‘I told him where to stick it’: Cheating claims fly in Canada v Sweden Winter Olympics curling clash - 4

  • In February 2026, a Canadian soccer team faced allegations related to drone use for spying on opponents during training, drawing international attention and comparisons to other Olympic controversies.

  • Another report from April 2025 detailed an instance of "China Caught Cheating in Curling," suggesting that rule infractions and the scrutiny surrounding them are recurring themes in the sport.

  • These past events may contribute to heightened sensitivity and immediate suspicion when rule-bending is perceived.

Examination of Evidence

Direct visual evidence of the alleged infraction or the full interaction was not explicitly detailed in the provided summaries.

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  • Marc Kennedy stated that Oskar Eriksson had not shown him the video evidence supporting the claim of touching the stone.

  • The dispute involved the interpretation of actions near the hog line and the subsequent reactions of players and officials.

Analysis of Competitive Dynamics

The heated exchange underscores the high stakes of Olympic competition, where teams are meticulously examining their opponents' play.

  • Team Brad Jacobs was reported to be undefeated at the time of the match.

  • Sweden, the defending Olympic champions, was involved in this particular controversy.

  • The incident reveals a strategic element where rules are not only followed but also rigorously enforced, sometimes leading to confrontational interpretations.

Conclusion and Implications

The curling match between Canada and Sweden was significantly impacted by allegations of cheating, leading to a public dispute between players. The disagreement highlights a clash in the interpretation of curling rules concerning stone release.

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  • The incident involved Marc Kennedy of Canada and the Swedish team, led by players like Oskar Eriksson.

  • The Canadian team firmly denies the accusation, suggesting a misunderstanding of the rules by the accusers.

  • The dispute raises questions about the transparency of evidence and the processes for addressing such claims during high-level competitions.

Further review of game footage and official statements from the World Curling Federation would be necessary to definitively ascertain the validity of the claims and the appropriate resolution.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the argument about?
Sweden said Canada's Marc Kennedy cheated by touching the curling stone wrongly.
Q: Did Canada cheat?
Marc Kennedy said no, Sweden just misunderstood the curling rules.
Q: Who is Marc Kennedy?
He is a player on the Canadian curling team.
Q: What did the Swedish player say?
Oskar Eriksson thought Kennedy touched the stone instead of the handle, which is against the rules.