Curling Game Sees Accusations of Cheating

There is a disagreement in Olympic curling. Some teams think others touched the stones after they were thrown. Officials have given a warning because of this. No cheating was officially found.
By Newsroom | Winter Sports, Olympics |

Tension is high at the Winter Olympics as a controversy unfolds in the sport of curling. Allegations of cheating, specifically the act of "double-touching" a released stone, have surfaced, drawing attention to teams from Canada and Sweden. This issue has led to heated exchanges and official warnings, casting a shadow over what is typically a quiet competition. The integrity of the game is now under scrutiny as players and officials grapple with these accusations.

Report: Swedish broadcaster says it did nothing wrong in curling controversy - 1

Background of the Dispute

The core of the current curling controversy centers on whether players are illegally touching their stones after releasing the handle. This infraction, known as a "double-touch," is prohibited by the rules.

Report: Swedish broadcaster says it did nothing wrong in curling controversy - 2

  • Timeline: The controversy gained significant attention during a recent match between Canada and Sweden. Accusations were also made against Canada's women's team and the British men's team, indicating a broader concern within the sport.

  • Key Incident: A particularly heated moment occurred when Swedish curler Oskar Eriksson accused Canadian curler Marc Kennedy of double-touching a stone. This led to a verbal confrontation, reportedly involving expletives from Kennedy as he denied the accusation.

  • Official Involvement: Following the incident, an umpire reportedly accused Canadian skip Rachel Homan of the same infraction. The Olympic curling committee has issued a warning, and an official was stationed at the hog line for subsequent ends to monitor Canada's play, during which no violations were recorded.

Evidence and Observations

The accusations are largely based on visual observations and video footage.

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Report: Swedish broadcaster says it did nothing wrong in curling controversy - 3

  • Video Footage: Social media and broadcast replays appear to show Marc Kennedy and Rachel Homan potentially making contact with their stones after releasing the handle. The footage, particularly from the match against Sweden, seems to indicate Kennedy may have used a finger to adjust the stone's course after release.

  • Sensor Data: Each curling stone is equipped with a sensor designed to detect the player's release of the handle before crossing the hog line. Reports indicate that the sensors on Kennedy's stones showed a "green light," suggesting the handle was released on time. However, opponents believe an additional touch occurred after the handle release.

  • Declarations: Players are required to sign a declaration after each game, stating they are satisfied with the outcome. The details of these declarations in relation to the controversy are not explicitly stated in the provided materials.

Divergent Perspectives

Different parties involved have presented contrasting viewpoints on the events.

Allegations of Rule Violations

  • Swedish Accusations: Oskar Eriksson directly accused Marc Kennedy of touching the rock, leading to the heated exchange. The Swedish team believed Kennedy was repeatedly double-touching stones to correct their path.

  • Perceived Infraction: Video evidence is cited as appearing to show Kennedy giving his throw an "extra push with his finger" after letting go of the handle, particularly in the game against Sweden.

Denials and Official Statements

  • Marc Kennedy's Denial: Kennedy strongly denied the accusations, reportedly using expletives to express his disagreement.

  • No Recorded Violations: After the initial incident, an official monitored Canada's play for three ends, and no violations were recorded, according to World Curling.

  • Olympic Committee Warning: The Olympic curling committee issued a general warning following the incident, indicating concern about the heated nature of the dispute and the allegations.

Expert Analysis and Interpretations

While the provided articles do not contain direct quotes from independent curling experts, the situation highlights a technical aspect of the sport.

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  • Rule Interpretation: The crux of the issue lies in the precise interpretation of "double-touching" and distinguishing between an accidental brush and an intentional correction of the stone's path. The rules state players must release their grip on the handle before the hog line, and any subsequent contact with the stone is generally disallowed.

  • Technological Limitations: The reliance on visual evidence and sensor data, rather than video replay for rule adjudication in curling, presents challenges in definitively proving such infractions. The sensor confirms handle release, but interpreting a second, subtle touch remains contentious.

Conclusion and Ramifications

The controversy surrounding alleged double-touching in Olympic curling has escalated beyond the ice.

  • Findings: While accusations have been made against Canada and Great Britain, and a heated exchange occurred between Canada and Sweden, official statements indicate that no rule violations were recorded during subsequent monitoring. An Olympic committee warning has been issued, likely addressing the conduct and the allegations themselves.

  • Implications: The situation has brought a lesser-known rule into sharp focus and created significant tension between competing nations. Should Canada and Sweden meet again in later stages of the competition, such as the semifinals, the matches are anticipated to be highly scrutinized. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has reported that Olympics officials found no wrongdoing on Canada's part, though this appears to contrast with the Swedish team's perspective and the committee's warning.

Sources Used

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the "double-touch" in curling?
It is when a player touches a stone after they have let go of it. This is against the rules.
Q: Who is involved in the argument?
Teams from Canada and Sweden had a disagreement. Other teams were also mentioned.
Q: Was anyone found to be cheating?
Officials watched the Canadian team closely. They did not find any rule breaking.
Q: What did the officials do?
The Olympic curling committee gave a warning about the situation. They want players to follow the rules and be respectful.