Canada Curlers Say Sweden Filmed Them Wrongly

During an Olympic curling match, Canadian players said the Swedish team filmed them in a way that was not allowed. This happened after a disagreement on the ice about whether a Canadian player broke a rule. Officials watched the game closely but did not see any rule violations.
By Newsroom | Curling, Winter Olympics |

A contentious curling match at the Winter Olympics has sparked an international incident, with Canadian curlers alleging that the Swedish team engaged in improper filming within the venue. This accusation surfaces amidst a heated dispute over alleged "double-touching" violations during a game between Canada and Sweden, a controversy that saw profanity exchanged on the ice and has drawn the attention of sports officials. The incident raises questions about sportsmanship and the protocols for filming during elite competitions.

Canadian curlers accuse Sweden of filming hog line at Olympic venue - 1

Timeline of Events and Key Players

The controversy unfolded during the men's curling round-robin play at the Milan-Cortina Games.

Canadian curlers accuse Sweden of filming hog line at Olympic venue - 2

  • The Accusation of Cheating: The dispute began when Oskar Eriksson of Sweden accused Canada's Marc Kennedy, the third player on Team Brad Jacobs, of "double-touching" a curling stone after its release. This alleged violation involves illegally touching the stone with a hand or finger after it has passed the hog line, a rule infraction in curling. Eriksson claimed he possessed video evidence of this alleged violation.

  • Kennedy's Heated Response: Marc Kennedy vehemently denied the accusations, responding with profanity towards Eriksson and the Swedish team. Kennedy expressed frustration, stating he would not tolerate accusations of cheating and later expressed regret for his language but not for defending himself.

  • Filming Dispute Emerges: Following the game, Canadian curlers, including Marc Kennedy and Curling Canada CEO Nolan Thiessen, raised a new concern: that Swedish personnel had been filming player deliveries outside of permitted filming rules. Kennedy believes this filming was an attempt to influence the event.

  • Official Intervention: World Curling confirmed that officials were stationed at the hog line to monitor deliveries for several ends after the concern was raised. No violations were recorded during this observation period. World Curling also issued a verbal warning to Canadian team officials regarding the language used during the game.

  • Conflicting Accounts: While Sweden believed Kennedy was illegally touching stones, Canada maintained that no rule violations occurred. Nolan Thiessen indicated that the alleged improper filming was a separate concern from the on-ice cheating allegations.

Evidence and Observations

Multiple sources confirm the sequence of events and the nature of the dispute.

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Canadian curlers accuse Sweden of filming hog line at Olympic venue - 3

  • Video Footage: Close-up, slowed-down video footage appears to show Marc Kennedy using his index finger on a stone as it approaches the hog line. However, the interpretation of this footage and whether it constitutes an illegal touch is at the heart of the controversy.

  • Hog Line Sensor Data: Each curling stone is equipped with a sensor designed to flash green if the player has released the handle before crossing the hog line. In the games in question, Kennedy's stones reportedly showed the green light.

  • Official Observation: World Curling confirmed that umpires observed deliveries for three ends after the dispute. During this period, "no hog line violations or retouches of the stone" were recorded.

  • Player Statements:

  • Marc Kennedy stated, "I just told him … I would never accuse you of cheating. So I told him where to stick it." He also indicated that Swedish team members were positioned to film during the game.

  • Oskar Eriksson alleged that Kennedy was double-touching stones and stated, "I'll show you a video after the game."

  • Nolan Thiessen stated, "I believe video had been shot outside of the strict rules for filming in Olympic venues."

Deep Dive: The "Double-Touching" Allegation

The core of the on-ice dispute centers on the interpretation of the "double-touch" rule.

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Canadian curlers accuse Sweden of filming hog line at Olympic venue - 4

  • The Rule: In curling, a player must release the stone before it reaches the hog line. A "double-touch" or "burning a stone" occurs if the player illegally touches the stone after this release point. This can lead to the stone being removed from play.

  • Swedish Perspective: Oskar Eriksson and the Swedish team believed that Marc Kennedy was making contact with the stone itself after releasing the handle, providing an illegal secondary push to correct its course. They felt this was an attempt to gain an unfair advantage.

  • Canadian Counterpoint: Marc Kennedy and Team Canada maintain that no such violation occurred. Kennedy asserted that Swedish officials "misread the rules." The Canadian team requested that a hog line official be present to ensure compliance, and the subsequent official observation recorded no violations.

Deep Dive: The Allegation of Improper Filming

A secondary but significant allegation involves the Swedish team's filming practices.

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  • Canadian Claims: Marc Kennedy suggested that Swedish support staff, fans, and team officials were strategically positioned to film his deliveries during the game. Curling Canada CEO Nolan Thiessen believes video was taken outside the established rules for filming at Olympic venues.

  • Swedish Intent: The Canadians interpret this alleged filming as an attempt to gather evidence of rule violations, potentially to influence officials or public perception.

  • Filming Regulations: Olympic venues typically have specific guidelines regarding where and how media and team personnel can film. The assertion is that the Swedish team may have operated outside these parameters.

Expert Analysis and Official Statements

  • World Curling's Position: In a statement to Reuters, World Curling confirmed that umpires monitored the deliveries and found "no hog line violations or retouches of the stone during the observation." They also confirmed issuing a verbal warning to Canadian team officials regarding language.

  • Analysis of Rules: The rulebook stipulates that if a delivering team touches a moving stone, play continues, and the non-offending team can choose how to proceed. However, the core issue here is whether such a touch occurred and if it was illegal. The ambiguity lies in the interpretation of contact and intent.

Conclusion and Implications

The incident between Canada and Sweden has highlighted tensions within Olympic curling, involving both on-ice conduct and broader issues of sportsmanship and venue protocols.

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  • Cheating Allegations Resolved (Officially): While the Swedish team believed Marc Kennedy was cheating, official observation at the hog line did not record any violations. World Curling cleared Canada of rule-breaking during the observed period.

  • Improper Filming Concern: The allegation of improper filming by the Swedish team remains a point of contention for Canada. This raises questions about how teams interact and gather information during competition and whether existing filming regulations were adhered to.

  • Impact on Sportsmanship: The exchange of profanities and the ensuing accusations have brought a dramatic element to the sport, which is often perceived as more sedate. While some argue it generated interest, it also overshadowed the athletic competition itself.

  • Next Steps: While official penalties for cheating were avoided for Canada, the dispute over filming practices may warrant further review by Olympic organizing bodies to clarify and enforce filming protocols. The incident serves as a reminder of the intense pressure and scrutiny faced by athletes at the highest level of competition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did the Canadian curlers say Sweden did wrong?
They said the Swedish team filmed them during the game in a way that was not allowed by the rules. They think this was to find proof of cheating.
Q: What was the argument about cheating?
A Swedish player thought a Canadian player touched the curling stone too many times after letting it go. This is against the rules. The Canadian player said he did not cheat.
Q: Did officials find any cheating?
No. World Curling officials watched the game closely after the argument. They did not see any rule breaks by the Canadian team.
Q: Was the Canadian team punished?
Officials gave a warning to the Canadian team about the bad language used during the argument. But they did not punish them for cheating.