Canada and Sweden Curling Teams Argue at Olympics

During an Olympic curling match, players from Canada and Sweden argued loudly. Sweden thought a Canadian player touched the stone unfairly. Officials watched closely but found no rule was broken.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

Tensions ran high during a Winter Olympics curling match between Canada and Sweden, escalating into a verbal confrontation fueled by allegations of cheating. The dispute centered on whether a Canadian player, Marc Kennedy, improperly touched a moving stone during delivery, a move that could offer an unfair advantage. The heated exchange, involving strong language, has drawn attention to the sportsmanship and adherence to rules within the competition.

'I told him where to stick it' - Canada and Sweden in curling row - 1

Context of the Curling Confrontation

The incident occurred during a round-robin match where Canada ultimately defeated Sweden with a score of 8-6. The controversy ignited when Oskar Eriksson of Sweden reportedly accused Marc Kennedy of "double-touching" the curling stone, meaning touching it more than once during its delivery, or touching the stone itself after release rather than just the handle.

'I told him where to stick it' - Canada and Sweden in curling row - 2

  • Timeline: The confrontation unfolded during the match on February 13, 2026.

  • Key Players:

  • Marc Kennedy (Canada)

  • Oskar Eriksson (Sweden)

  • Brad Jacobs (Canada - Skip)

  • Niklas Edin (Sweden - Skip)

  • Allegation: Sweden claimed Kennedy was touching the moving stone after its release and before it crossed the hog line.

  • Canadian Response: Kennedy vehemently denied the accusations, using strong language towards Eriksson. He stated that Sweden "misread the rules."

Evidence of the Dispute

Reports indicate that the disagreement began early in the game, causing a temporary halt in play. Sweden requested officials to monitor Canadian deliveries closely for alleged "double touches."

Read More: Rome Flynn Wins MVP Again as Team Giannis Wins Celebrity Game

'I told him where to stick it' - Canada and Sweden in curling row - 3

  • Verbal Exchange: Marc Kennedy was quoted as saying, "I told him where to stick it" and "You can f—k off" in response to the accusations.

  • Swedish Perspective: Eriksson and his teammates believed Kennedy was touching the stone, not the handle containing the hog line sensor. This distinction is crucial, as touching the stone directly could evade the sensor's detection, which is designed to flash red lights if the handle is improperly touched.

  • Official Involvement: Umpires were stationed at the hog line to observe deliveries for several ends following the concern.

  • Governing Body Statement: World Curling stated to Reuters that during the observation period, there were “no hog line violations or retouches of the stone during the observation.”

  • Rulebook Clarification: A "double-touch violation" occurs when a player touches a moving stone after its initial release. Touching a moving stone after it has crossed the hog line is a violation, but the non-offending team has options regarding the stone's fate.

The "Double Touch" Allegation

The core of the dispute lies in the interpretation of a "double touch" and the specific point of contact. Sweden's concern was that Kennedy was making physical contact with the stone itself after its release, an action that might bypass the technological sensors on the handle.

Read More: Kevin Fiala Hurt, Out of Olympics After Hockey Game Collision

'I told him where to stick it' - Canada and Sweden in curling row - 4

  • Eriksson's Belief: Oskar Eriksson reportedly told Kennedy he would show him video evidence of the alleged contact. His belief was that Kennedy was touching the stone, not the handle with the sensor, thus preventing the red lights from activating.

  • Kennedy's Defense: Marc Kennedy maintained that such accusations were unfounded and suggested Sweden had misinterpreted the rules. He emphasized that he has never spoken ill of Eriksson previously.

Technology and Rule Interpretation

The introduction of hog line sensors on curling stone handles is intended to prevent such violations. However, the precise nature of the contact, and whether it occurs on the stone or the handle, remains a point of contention.

  • Sensor Functionality: The sensors are designed to detect improper contact with the handle.

  • Swedish Claim: Sweden's argument appears to hinge on the idea that contact with the stone itself, even if unintentional or subtle, constitutes a violation that the sensor might miss.

  • Canadian Counter: Canada argues that the rules were misread and that any perceived contact was not a violation under the existing regulations or that the technology should have alerted officials if a rule was broken.

The Heat of Competition

The exchange highlights the intense pressure and emotions that can surface during high-stakes international competitions. While sportsmanship is paramount, the desire to win can sometimes lead to friction between athletes.

Read More: Famous People Come Back to TV and Wrestling Shows

  • Kennedy's Frustration: Kennedy expressed disappointment with his Swedish counterparts for continuing to accuse his team of cheating.

  • Sportsmanship: Despite the heated exchange, Marc Kennedy is described as one of the best players in the sport, and he stated he would not stand by and "take cheating lightly."

Conclusion and Future Implications

The incident between Canada and Sweden in Olympic curling has brought scrutiny to the players' conduct and the application of rules. While official observation by umpires found no violations, the verbal altercation and lingering accusations suggest a significant breakdown in sportsmanship.

  • No Violations Found: The governing body confirmed no rule violations were observed during the specific period of heightened scrutiny.

  • Lingering Disagreement: Despite the official findings, the exchange of expletives and accusations indicates an unresolved tension between the two teams.

  • Focus on Fair Play: This event serves as a reminder of the importance of fair play and respectful communication in competitive sports, even in the face of intense rivalry.

Sources

Read More: 2026 Winter Olympics: What Happened in Milano Cortina

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened between Canada and Sweden in curling?
The teams argued during a match because Sweden thought a Canadian player touched the stone in a way that was not allowed.
Q: Did anyone break the rules?
Officials watched the players carefully after the argument. They said they did not see any rule breaks.
Q: What did the Canadian player say?
The Canadian player, Marc Kennedy, said the accusations were wrong and used strong words when talking to the Swedish player.