A significant dispute has emerged between the Canadian and Swedish men's curling teams during the ongoing Olympic Games. Following allegations of cheating made by the Swedish team against Canada's Marc Kennedy, Canadian officials have leveled counter-accusations, claiming the Swedes engaged in improper filming within the Olympic venue. This development has intensified the already heated exchanges, drawing attention to the conduct of both teams.
Background of the Curling Controversy
The friction began during a match between Canada and Sweden where Sweden's Oskar Eriksson reportedly accused Canada's Marc Kennedy of a "double-touch" violation. This infraction occurs when a player touches a moving stone after the initial release, after it has crossed the hog line. Marc Kennedy, in response to the allegations, reportedly used profanity, vehemently denying any wrongdoing.
The initial accusation from Sweden centered on Marc Kennedy allegedly touching his stone with his finger after releasing the handle, rather than just the handle itself.
Close-up video footage appears to show Kennedy using his index finger on the stone as it approached the hog line.
The stone in question triggered a green light on its sensor, indicating the handle was released before the hog line, but Sweden's concern was the perceived secondary touch on the stone itself.
Canada's Counter-Allegation: Improper Filming
In the wake of the cheating allegations, Canada has presented its own claims against the Swedish team. Curling Canada CEO Nolan Thiessen stated his belief that video footage was captured outside the established regulations for filming at Olympic venues, suggesting this was an attempt by the Swedish side to gather evidence to influence the competition.
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Marc Kennedy also voiced his suspicion, believing the Swedish team filmed his delivery with the express intent of catching him in a rule violation.
Oskar Eriksson reportedly stated that he had shown Kennedy video footage from previous games, suggesting the Swedish team was aware of potential rule breaches.
Typically, only the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) is permitted to film events, making the alleged actions by the Swedish team a potential violation of protocol.
The "Double-Touch" Rule in Curling
A "double-touch" violation in curling is a nuanced rule concerning player contact with the stone during delivery.
| Rule Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Release Handle | Players must release the grip on the handle before the stone crosses the hog line. |
| Sensor System | Stones are equipped with sensors that flash green if the handle is released in time. |
| Double-Touch | Touching a moving stone after the initial release, particularly after the hog line. |
| Sweden's Claim | Oskar Eriksson alleged Marc Kennedy was touching the stone, not just the handle, leading to the sensor not functioning as intended. |
| Canada's Defense | Marc Kennedy denies deliberately cheating, stating he has never intended to gain an advantage through rule-breaking. |
Official Responses and Warnings
The incident has prompted responses from governing bodies and officials, highlighting the seriousness of the accusations and the ensuing dispute.
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World Curling has issued a statement acknowledging the allegations and the ensuing controversy.
Canada received a warning regarding Marc Kennedy's use of profanity.
Emergency spot checks were reportedly introduced following the incident to ensure teams were adhering to delivery rules.
Despite the controversy and accusations, Canada reportedly escaped further punishment from World Curling regarding the alleged rule breaches in their match against Sweden.
The Swiss team has also reportedly lodged complaints against the Canadian men's team.
Expert Analysis and Commentary
The events have drawn commentary from various sources, with some suggesting the heightened tension might even bring more attention to the sport.
"He pulled a hog line official on us to make sure we weren’t double-touching. If they say they touched it they probably did." - Source 1
"Usually, only the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) is allowed to film events." - Source 2
"Close-up, slowed-down video does appear to show Kennedy using his index finger on the stone as it approaches the hog line." - Source 4
"The Swedes believed Kennedy was repeatedly double-touching some of his stones - releasing the handle at the appropriate time but then giving the stone another little prod with his finger to correct its course - with TV pictures appearing to show that he did indeed touch the stone on occasion." - Source 11
Ongoing Repercussions and Future Considerations
The dispute between Canada and Sweden continues to cast a shadow over the Olympic curling competition.
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The allegations have led to online harassment directed at family members of Canadian curlers.
The "spicy" nature of the exchanges, as described by some, has garnered significant media attention.
The incident underscores the importance of adherence to sporting regulations and the potential for disputes arising from rule interpretations and perceived violations.
Future matches involving these teams may be subject to heightened scrutiny.
Key Sources and Context
National Post: Published multiple articles detailing the events, providing summaries of accusations and counter-accusations from both teams.
Sporting News: Explained the nuances of the cheating controversy and the profanity used during the match.
NBC News: Reported on the shouting match between the teams following the cheating accusation.
The Guardian: Covered the heated exchange, including quotes from Marc Kennedy and details about the alleged rule violation.
AP News: Provided details on the accusations of illegal touches and Marc Kennedy's response.
The Mirror: Reported on the "cheating scandal" and the exchange of strong language.
GiveMeSport: Covered Canada's accusation of improper filming and the initial argument.
BBC Sport: Detailed the allegations of double-touching and the appearance of video evidence.
The New York Times (The Athletic): Reported on Marc Kennedy cursing out his Swedish opponent after cheating accusations.
Newsweek: Discussed Olympic officials facing scrutiny after the alleged "cheating" went unpunished.
LADbible: Covered the "carnage" and the alleged cheating incident.
The Star: Highlighted the ongoing controversy, including online harassment and new complaints from Switzerland.
Sport Bible: Stated that World Curling issued a statement following the "cheating" incident.
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