did canada cheat in curling
No confirmed evidence shows that Canada “cheated” in Olympic curling, but there is a heated controversy and lots of online debate about it.
Did Canada Cheat in Curling?
Quick Scoop
- Canada’s men’s team beat Sweden 8–6 in a round‑robin game at the Milano‑Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
- Sweden accused Canadian player Marc Kennedy of “double touching” the stone after release, which would be illegal if it affected the shot.
- Officials closely watched several ends at the hog line and reported no rule violations by Canada.
- The only formal action taken was a verbal warning to Kennedy for his language, not for cheating.
- Online, forums and social media are split: some fans are convinced they saw a touch; others say the video is inconclusive and that calling it “cheating” is way too far.
So the short version: Sweden accused, Canada denied, fans are arguing—but the sport’s governing bodies say no cheating was proven.
What Actually Happened on the Ice?
In the Canada–Sweden game, the controversy centers on a shot where Kennedy appears to extend a finger near or onto the running surface of the stone after letting go. Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson claimed this was a second contact (“double touch”) beyond the release point, which would count as interfering with a stone in motion.
Officials were notified and an umpire stood at the hog line for several ends specifically to watch Canada’s deliveries. They reported no infractions recorded under the rules while they were monitoring. The game result—an 8–6 win for Canada—stood without any adjustment.
In curling, accidentally touching a moving stone (“burning” it) is handled on‑ice: players or officials decide whether to move it, remove it, or leave it. Intentional cheating would be a different level entirely.
What the Officials and Players Said
World Curling / Olympic officials
- Confirmed that after Sweden’s complaint, an official monitored Canada at the hog line and “no violations were recorded.”
- Stressed that curling currently does not use video replay for these in‑game rulings and that decisions during the match are final.
- Announced that going forward, two officials would watch deliveries across the sheets to avoid similar arguments.
Canadian side (Marc Kennedy / team)
- Kennedy strongly rejected the accusation, saying he doesn’t like being called a cheater after decades at the top level.
- He admitted responding with profanity and said he told his opponent “where to stick it,” which is what led to the warning for unsportsmanlike language.
Swedish side (Oskar Eriksson / team)
- Eriksson said he just wants everyone “to play by the same rules” and that, in his view, the Canadian player was “poking the stone.”
- Sweden pushed for closer officiating but did not get the call they wanted in that game.
How the Internet Is Talking About It
This has turned into one of those “did you see the touch or not?” slow‑motion controversies that sports fans love to dissect.
On curling and Olympics forums, you’ll find:
- Users saying the clip clearly shows a second touch and calling it “cheating.”
- Others insisting the angle is too poor to tell, or that any contact would’ve been accidental and likely hurt the shot more than help it.
- Curling nerds explaining terms like “burned stone,” “hog line violation,” and why intent matters a lot when people throw around the word “cheat.”
- Some non‑Canadians and Canadians alike complaining that headlines like “Canada cheating in curling” create a misleading image when officials explicitly found no rule break.
In short, it’s a trending topic because of the drama: national rivalry, a respected veteran losing his temper, and ambiguous video that people replay frame by frame.
So… Did Canada Cheat or Not?
Putting it all together:
- Allegations : Sweden accused Canada of an illegal second touch on a stone.
- Denials : Canada firmly denied any cheating.
- Officials’ ruling : Umpires monitored play and reported no violations , and the governing body has not sanctioned Canada for cheating.
- Discipline given : The only official sanction was a verbal warning for Kennedy’s swearing and behavior, not for breaking curling rules on the stone.
- Public perception : Fans remain divided, but an online debate is not the same as a formal finding of cheating.
From an official standpoint, the answer to “did Canada cheat in curling?” is no —they were accused, checked, and cleared of rule violations while being scolded for language, not gameplay.
Key Facts Table (Canada–Sweden Curling Controversy)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Canada vs Sweden, men’s team curling, Milano‑Cortina 2026 round‑robin, 8–6 Canada win | [8][1][10][3]
| Main allegation | Canadian player Marc Kennedy “double touched” / nudged the stone after release near the hog line | [1][10][3][6]
| Accusing side | Sweden, led by Oskar Eriksson, who asked for closer officiating and equal application of rules | [10][1][3][6]
| Canadian response | Strong denial of any cheating; anger over being accused, including curse‑filled exchange on the ice | [5][7][1][3]
| Officials’ review | Umpire watched from hog line for multiple ends; governing body later stated no violations were recorded | [9][3][6][10]
| Sanctions | Verbal warning for Kennedy’s language and behavior; no penalties for cheating or stone interference | [3][6][9]
| Rule context | No video replay for in‑game decisions; on‑ice calls are final in Olympic curling | [6][9][3]
| Online reaction | Reddit and forums split between “obvious cheat,” “accident,” and “inconclusive video, trust officials” camps | [2][4][7][10]
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
