Curling Controversy Erupts Over ‘Double-Touching’ Accusations

URGENT UPDATE: A fiery controversy has erupted at the Winter Olympics in Cortina as accusations of cheating rock the Canadian curling teams. Both the men’s and women’s squads are embroiled in a scandal over alleged violations of the ‘double-touching’ rule, raising questions about integrity in the sport.

On February 11, 2025, Swedish curler Oskar Eriksson publicly accused Canadian player Marc Kennedy of illegally touching the curling stone after its initial release during a match. Video evidence, circulated by Swedish public broadcaster SVT, appears to show Kennedy committing the infraction, which he vehemently denies. Despite the uproar, Canada prevailed in the match with an 8-6 victory.

The situation worsened later when renowned Canadian skip Rachel Homan faced a similar allegation in a match against Switzerland. An umpire halted play after claiming Homan had also double-touched the stone. Shockingly, this played a crucial role in Canada’s subsequent loss, as they fell to Switzerland with a final score of 8-7.

“During forward motion, touching the granite of the stone is not allowed. This will result in the stone being removed from play,”

the World Curling Federation stated, clarifying the rules amid rising tensions.

The controversy intensified as officials began stricter surveillance of matches, leading to the removal of a stone thrown by the British men’s team due to a similar double-touching infraction committed by Scottish curler Bobby Lammie during their match against Germany. Despite the scrutiny, Britain secured a 9-4 victory.

In response to the ongoing issues, World Curling announced it would assign two officials to monitor multiple matches, although they admitted it was “not possible” to station umpires at every hog line. Speculation grows over whether certain teams are being watched more closely than others, as no video replays are utilized for official reviews.

This unfolding drama not only affects the teams involved but also the broader integrity of curling at the Olympics. As Canada’s storied history in curling faces scrutiny, fans and athletes alike are left questioning the future of the competition.

The situation remains fluid, with further developments expected as authorities continue to monitor the matches. Curling enthusiasts and supporters of the teams are urged to stay tuned as this high-stakes controversy continues to unfold.

With the stakes higher than ever, the world watches closely to see how this scandal will impact the remaining matches of the Winter Olympics. Will the Canadian teams rise above the accusations, or will the controversy overshadow their legacy?