Canada Says Sweden Filmed Them Wrongly in Curling Fight

During an Olympic curling match, Canada and Sweden argued. Sweden said a Canadian player broke a rule. Canada then said Sweden filmed the player in a way that was not allowed. This has caused a lot of talk.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

A dispute has erupted between the Canadian and Swedish Olympic curling teams, escalating from allegations of cheating to counter-accusations of improper filming. The incident, which unfolded during a match between the two nations, has brought an unusual level of public attention to the sport, with tempers flaring and officials involved.

Canada's curling team accuses Sweden of filming violation in response to Olympic cheating allegations - 1

The conflict began when Sweden's Oskar Eriksson reportedly accused Canada's Marc Kennedy of a "double-touch" violation. This occurs when a curler touches a moving stone after releasing it, which is against the rules once the stone crosses the hog line. The alleged infraction led to a heated exchange on the ice, including profanity from Kennedy. Subsequently, Canada has accused Sweden of violating filming regulations within the Olympic venue.

Canada's curling team accuses Sweden of filming violation in response to Olympic cheating allegations - 2

Timeline of Events and Key Actors

The controversy centers around the Olympic men's curling match between Canada and Sweden. The primary figures involved are:

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Canada's curling team accuses Sweden of filming violation in response to Olympic cheating allegations - 3

  • Marc Kennedy (Canada): Accused of double-touching a stone. He denied intentionally cheating and responded with strong language to the allegations.

  • Oskar Eriksson (Sweden): Alleged that Kennedy committed a double-touch violation. He reportedly presented video evidence of the incident.

  • Nolan Thiessen (Curling Canada CEO): Stated his belief that video evidence was taken improperly by the Swedish side, outside of official broadcasting rules.

  • Team Brad Jacobs (Canada): The Canadian team that participated in the disputed match.

The timeline indicates the following sequence:

  • During a match between Canada and Sweden, Oskar Eriksson accused Marc Kennedy of a double-touch violation.

  • Kennedy responded with profanity, denying the accusation.

  • Following this exchange, Canada lodged a complaint against Sweden, alleging improper filming of Kennedy's delivery.

  • Curling Canada CEO Nolan Thiessen confirmed the belief that video was shot contrary to established filming protocols.

  • Other teams, including Switzerland, have also reportedly raised concerns about the Canadian team's play.

Evidence and Allegations

Evidence in this unfolding situation is a mix of direct observation, video review, and official statements.

Canada's curling team accuses Sweden of filming violation in response to Olympic cheating allegations - 4

  • Double-Touch Allegations:

  • Swedish team members reported Marc Kennedy for allegedly touching his stone after release.

  • Close-up and slowed-down video footage appears to show Kennedy's finger making contact with the stone as it approached the hog line.

  • Each stone is equipped with a sensor. When the handle is released before the hog line, the sensor is supposed to flash green. Kennedy's stone reportedly showed green, but opponents believed an additional push occurred.

  • Kennedy acknowledged that in the heat of the moment, he could not definitively recall if he double-touched but denied any intentional cheating. He stated that Swedish team members "misread the rules."

  • Improper Filming Allegations:

  • Marc Kennedy stated that he believes someone from the Swedish team filmed his delivery.

  • Curling Canada CEO Nolan Thiessen told reporters he believes video footage was taken outside the strict rules governing filming at Olympic venues, where usually only Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) is permitted to film.

  • Eriksson reportedly mentioned that Swedish television had shown him footage of Kennedy's throw.

  • Consequences and Warnings:

  • Canada escaped punishment for the incident during their match against Sweden, despite accusations.

  • The World Curling Federation issued a warning to Canada regarding the use of abusive language and implemented "emergency spot checks" to ensure teams were not cheating.

  • Marc Kennedy's wife reportedly faced online harassment following the controversy.

  • Switzerland has also reportedly made complaints against the Canadian men's team.

Disputed Filming Protocols

The core of Canada's counter-accusation lies in the alleged breach of filming regulations within the Olympic venue.

  • Official Rules: Normally, only Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) is authorized to film events.

  • Canadian Claim: Canada alleges that Sweden captured video footage of Kennedy's stone delivery outside of these established protocols.

  • Swedish Role: The Swedish team's purported use of this footage to support their cheating allegations is central to Canada's complaint. Nolan Thiessen, Curling Canada CEO, expressed his belief that the filming was improper, stating, "I believe video had been shot outside of the strict rules for filming in Olympic venues."

The Nature of Double-Touch Violations

A "double-touch" is a specific violation in curling that pertains to how a player releases the stone.

  • Definition: It occurs when a player touches a moving stone after their initial release, particularly after it has crossed the hog line.

  • Mechanism: Stones are equipped with sensors on the handle. Players must release the handle before the stone reaches the hog line. The sensor is designed to register this release.

  • Swedish View: Sweden's Oskar Eriksson and his team believed Kennedy was giving the stone an extra push with his finger after releasing the handle, thereby committing a double-touch.

  • Canadian Defense: Marc Kennedy denied intentionally cheating. He suggested that opponents may have misinterpreted the rules or the visual evidence. The judge in the match reportedly could not definitively determine if Kennedy had committed a violation.

Reactions and Escalation

The incident has drawn significant attention, prompting strong reactions from various parties.

  • Kennedy's Response: Marc Kennedy was vocal in his denial and frustration, using expletives directed at the Swedish team. He later expressed regret for his language, stating, "I’ve got friends from back home who aren’t huge curling fans, they’re like, ‘What’s going on?’… He just was frustrated they were losing."

  • Official Warnings: World Curling warned Canada about abusive language.

  • Broader Complaints: Beyond Sweden, Switzerland has also reportedly made complaints against the Canadian team.

  • Public Interest: The controversy has generated considerable discussion, even attracting the attention of casual sports fans. Curling Canada CEO Nolan Thiessen acknowledged the heightened interest, noting, "This shines a little extra light on the sport—sometimes that’s not a bad thing."

Conclusion and Future Implications

The curling controversy between Canada and Sweden highlights a clash over rules interpretation, evidence gathering, and sportsmanship at the Olympic level.

Canada's accusation of improper filming serves as a direct response to the cheating allegations leveled against them. The situation underscores the importance of adhering to established protocols for filming and evidence collection in competitive sports. While Canada was not formally penalized for the events of the match, the warnings and subsequent complaints from other nations suggest an ongoing scrutiny of their conduct. The use of video evidence in such close-call situations, coupled with the heated emotional responses, raises questions about how such disputes will be managed in future high-stakes competitions. The incident has undoubtedly brought a significant, albeit controversial, spotlight onto the sport of curling.

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Key Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened between Canada and Sweden in curling?
Sweden said a Canadian player touched the curling stone too much. Canada said this was wrong. Then, Canada said Sweden filmed their player in a way they shouldn't have.
Q: What is a 'double-touch' in curling?
A 'double-touch' is when a player touches a moving curling stone after they have let it go. This is against the rules.
Q: Did Canada get in trouble?
Canada was not punished for the rule-breaking claim. But they were warned about using bad words. Other teams also complained about Canada.
Q: Why is filming important?
At the Olympics, only official cameras can film. Canada says Sweden used a film that was not allowed to make their claim against Canada.
Q: Is this a big problem?
This fight has made people talk a lot about the sport. It shows how important rules and fair play are in sports.