Winter Olympics 2026: Curling Cheating Scandal Intensifies Amid Village Drama
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games have been rocked by a series of dramatic events, from a brewing cheating storm in curling to emotional pleas from athletes and disciplinary actions in ice hockey. As the competition enters its final days, controversies and disruptions are creating headlines alongside the sporting action.
Figure Skating Star's Emotional Attachment to Olympic Village
American figure skater Isabeau Levito has made an impassioned plea not to be evicted from the Olympic Village, expressing more enthusiasm for her stay than her actual competitions. The teenage sensation, who has strong family ties to Milan, declared, "I've spent every night in the Village. It's been everything and more. And you can't evict me." She added that her experience felt complete even before competing, highlighting the joy of the Olympic atmosphere.
Ice Hockey Altercation Leads to Internal Ban
In a separate incident, the French Ice Hockey Federation has banned Pierre Crinon for the remainder of the Winter Olympics following a fight with Team Canada's Tom Wilson during a 10-2 loss. While Olympic officials opted against further sanctions, the federation cited Crinon's "provocative behaviour" after ejection as grounds for the strict internal disciplinary measure. This marks the first such altercation at the Winter Games since 1998.
Curling Cheating Claims Spark Angry Confrontations
The sport of curling has been engulfed in controversy over allegations of "double-touching" during a match between Canada and Sweden. Swedish skip Niklas Edin accused Canadian players of unlawfully touching stones after release, leading to profanity-filled confrontations on the ice. The World Curling Committee issued a verbal warning to the Canadian team for aggressive language, but the dispute continued when the Canadian women's team was penalised for a similar violation against Switzerland in an 8-7 defeat. Men's captain Brad Jacobs questioned whether Canada was being unfairly targeted.
Weather Disruptions Cause Event Delays
Heavy snowfall at the Livigno Snow Park has forced delays in key events, including the women's snowboard slopestyle final and qualification rounds for men's and women's aerials. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) made the decision after athletes were unable to complete practice runs. New dates are expected to be set for Wednesday, but squeezing these into the packed schedule poses challenges with only five days left before the closing ceremony at Verona Arena.
Broadcast and Coverage Details
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, running from February 6 to 22, offer over 850 hours of live action on discovery+ via Prime Video. A £3.99 discovery+ Entertainment subscription provides access to TNT Sports 2 for continuous Olympic coverage, ensuring fans can follow all the drama and excitement until the end.
