Canadian Olympic curler says he's no cheat, attacks Sweden - ESPN
ESPN
February 14, 2026
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Canadian Olympic curler Marc Kennedy has denied allegations of cheating after a Swedish curler accused him of "double-touching" a rock during a match at the Winter Olympics. The incident occurred during Canada's 8-6 win against Sweden, with footage appearing to show Kennedy touching the stone again after releasing it. Kennedy insists he did not intentionally break the rules and theorizes that the situation may have been set up to target his team, suggesting premeditated planning by Sweden.
The controversy has sparked significant attention in the curling world, a sport known for its decorum. After the match, World Curling issued a verbal warning to Kennedy but did not charge him with cheating, as video reviews are not typically used to monitor gameplay. Instead, officials were stationed at the hog line during subsequent matches to observe stone releases. Canada lost 9-5 to Switzerland and Sweden defeated China 6-4 in the following games.
Swedish curler Oskar Eriksson claimed he had previously reported similar concerns about Kennedy's technique in two other events but decided to act this time due to the severity of the situation. Swiss coach Glenn Howard, a renowned Canadian curler, expressed confusion over the incident, acknowledging minor infractions are often overlooked. Despite these claims, no violations were recorded during the three ends where officials monitored Canada's team.
The case has raised questions about the fairness of the game and the role of technology in enforcing rules. The footage was captured by Swedish broadcasters who moved a camera to the hog line after Sweden expressed concerns early in the match. This led to increased scrutiny, with some fans questioning how the video was obtained and whether it was fair to capture such specific moments.
The controversy highlights the competitive nature of curling and the potential for disputes between rival teams. It also underscores the importance of sportsmanship and adherence to rules, even in high-stakes international competitions. The incident has sparked debates about rule enforcement and the use of technology in monitoring
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Originally published on ESPN on 2/14/2026