World Curling Says Rules Were Followed in Canada-Sweden Game Dispute

During a recent Olympic curling match between Canada and Sweden, a disagreement happened about a possible rule violation. World Curling has said that the game officials followed the right procedures. The incident involved a player possibly touching a moving stone twice.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

Tensions ran high during a recent men's curling match at the Winter Olympics between Canada and Sweden. Following the ninth end, a dispute arose concerning a potential "double-touch" violation, where a player might touch a moving stone after its release. This incident escalated into a verbal exchange, reportedly involving profanity, and has led to an official statement from World Curling asserting that protocol was followed. The core of the disagreement centers on whether Canada's Marc Kennedy improperly touched a stone, a claim that Sweden's Oskar Eriksson put forth.

Game Context and Accusations

The match in question, part of the Olympic men's round-robin, saw Canada's Team Brad Jacobs secure an 8-6 victory over Sweden's Team Niklas Edin. The controversy unfolded after the ninth end, a critical stage in the game.

  • Oskar Eriksson of Sweden reportedly voiced his suspicion that Marc Kennedy, a player for Canada, had touched a stone a second time after releasing the handle.

  • This alleged violation involves touching the stone itself, rather than just the handle which contains a sensor designed to detect initial release. When the sensor does not register the release correctly, the hog-line device may not activate warning lights.

  • Marc Kennedy vehemently denied the accusations, responding with strong language to Eriksson. Kennedy stated he felt the Swedish team "misread the rules" and that he would not tolerate being accused of cheating.

World Curling's Stance and Curling's Rules

World Curling has since stated that official protocols were followed during the game. However, the sport's procedural specifics are key to understanding the dispute.

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World Curling says official protocol was followed in tense Canada-Sweden curling game - 1

  • Curling matches do not utilize instant replay to review on-ice decisions.

  • Disputes are typically resolved by the players on the ice, with officials intervening if necessary.

  • A "double-touch" violation occurs when a player makes contact with a moving stone after releasing it, particularly after it has passed the hog line.

  • The stones are equipped with sensors on the handles to register release. If a player touches the stone directly after the initial handle release, it could be deemed an infraction, but this is difficult to ascertain without definitive visual evidence, especially given the absence of instant replay.

  • During the specific observation period related to the complaint, no hog-line violations or stone retouches were officially noted.

Perspectives on the Incident

The aftermath of the game revealed differing viewpoints and significant frustration from the Canadian team.

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"And he’s still accusing us of cheating. I’ve never said a bad word about Oskar Eriksson. So I told him where to stick it,” Kennedy said. They came out and they misread the rules, sadly. But I’m not going to stand there and take cheating lightly.”

  • Marc Kennedy expressed his disappointment and strong disagreement with the accusations, emphasizing his integrity and understanding of the rules. He indicated that the Swedish team appeared to have misunderstood the regulations.

  • Oskar Eriksson's perspective, as reported, was that he believed Kennedy was touching the stone and not the sensor-equipped handle, which would explain why the warning lights did not activate.

Broadcast and Communication

The incident also touched upon the nature of curling broadcasts.

  • It is not uncommon for players to utter occasional expletives during competition, which can be heard on air as broadcasts typically do not have a delay.

  • However, profanity-laced exchanges are generally rare within the sport.

Implications and Future Considerations

The incident highlights the importance of clear communication and adherence to rules in competitive curling. While World Curling has confirmed protocol adherence, the dispute underscores the challenges of officiating in a sport that relies heavily on player integrity and the absence of advanced replay technology. The event has brought a notable level of tension and scrutiny to the ongoing Olympic curling competition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened in the Canada vs. Sweden curling game?
There was a disagreement after a player from Sweden thought a Canadian player touched a moving stone twice.
Q: Did the Canadian player break the rules?
The Canadian player said he did not. World Curling said that the officials followed the correct rules during the game.
Q: Can curling games use instant replay?
No, curling games do not use instant replay to check decisions. The players and officials on the ice make the calls.
Q: What is a 'double-touch' violation in curling?
It happens when a player touches a moving stone after they have released it.
Q: Was there proof of a violation?
It was hard to be sure without instant replay, and no violation was officially noted at the time.