Curling 'Cheating' Controversy Rocks 2026 Winter Olympics as Team GB Prepares for Final
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina have been overshadowed by a major scandal in the curling events, with allegations of cheating sparking heated disputes and forcing officials to implement a mid-tournament rule change. This controversy has now set the stage for a dramatic men's curling final between Team GB and Team Canada on Saturday, February 21.
The Origins of the Scandal
The controversy erupted on February 13 during a men's match between Canada and Sweden. Swedish curler Oskar Eriksson accused Canadian player Marc Kennedy of committing a 'double touch' violation. This rule breach involves touching the stone again after its initial release to subtly alter its trajectory, which is strictly prohibited under World Curling regulations.
While officials did not witness the incident live, footage from Swedish broadcaster SVT quickly went viral. The video appeared to show Kennedy's finger lingering on the stone past the hog line, providing compelling visual evidence that fueled the allegations.
Fallout and Heated Reactions
The situation escalated rapidly on the ice. Kennedy vehemently denied the accusations, reportedly telling Eriksson to "f*** off" during the match. In response, World Curling officials issued a verbal warning to the Canadian team, but this did little to quell the growing controversy.
As further infractions were reported in other matches throughout the tournament, the governing body faced mounting pressure to address the issue. This led to an unprecedented decision to change the officiating rules mid-competition.
Mid-Tournament Rule Change
In a significant shift, World Curling announced that umpires would no longer actively monitor every stone delivery by default. Instead, officials will now only intervene at the specific request of a competing team. This change aims to reduce ambiguity and place more responsibility on the athletes themselves to police the rules.
Understanding the 'Double-Touch' Rule
Under World Curling Rule R.5, the delivery must consist of a single, clean release. Players are permitted to touch the handle multiple times before the stone crosses the hog line. However, any contact with the stone itself during its forward motion or after it passes the hog line is strictly illegal and constitutes a violation.
Team GB's Involvement in the Controversy
The scandal directly impacted Team GB during their 9-4 victory over Germany on Sunday. Scottish curler Bobby Lammie was flagged for the same 'double touch' infraction, resulting in his stone being removed from play. Notably, the British team accepted the decision without the explosive reaction demonstrated by the Canadians, highlighting different approaches to officiating disputes.
Final Showdown Details
The men's curling gold medal match between Team GB and Team Canada is scheduled for Saturday, February 21 at 5:05 PM. This highly anticipated final promises to be a tense affair, given the backdrop of the ongoing controversy.
How to Watch the Final
Viewers in the United Kingdom can tune in to BBC Two or BBC iPlayer for live coverage of the match. Alternative viewing options include TNT Sports and discovery+, which will also broadcast the event. The final represents not only a battle for Olympic gold but also a culmination of the tournament's dramatic cheating allegations that have captivated the curling world.
