Swear words fly as cheating allegations made in curling at Winter Olympics
Al Jazeera
February 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The world of curling took an unexpected turn at the Winter Olympics as tensions boiled over between Sweden and Canada in a high-stakes men’s match. The game, which ended with Canada winning 8-6, was overshadowed by allegations of cheating and heated exchanges between players. During the match, Swedish player Oskar Eriksson accused Canadian Marc Kennedy of “double-touching” the curling stone—a violation that occurs when a player touches the rock again after releasing it. This accusation led to a fiery confrontation on the ice, with Kennedy using expletives to deny any wrongdoing and calling out Eriksson for the accusations.
Curling rules dictate that players must release the stone using its handle before it crosses the hog line, which is marked by a green line at each end of the ice. While officials monitored the situation, no formal action was taken after reviewing the incident. Kennedy, who has been part of four Olympic teams, expressed his frustration at being accused of cheating, stating that he told Eriksson where to direct his complaints. Meanwhile, Eriksson defended his decision to raise the issue, emphasizing the importance of fair play in the sport.
The controversy highlights the high stakes and intense competition that define elite-level curling. While the incident was not resolved conclusively during the match, it sparked a broader conversation about sportsmanship and the integrity of the game. For fans of curling and Olympic sports, this episode underscores the challenges of maintaining fair play in high-pressure situations.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/14/2026