Sweden accuses Canada of cheating at Olympics: What happened?

Allegations of cheating have rocked the men's competition after Sweden accused Canada of breaking the rules at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Olympic curling scandal unfolds: Sweden accuses Canada of cheating

MILAN - Allegations of cheating have rocked the men's tournament after Sweden accused Canada of deliberately breaking the rules during the Canadians' 8-6 victory in the first round of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Niklas Edin of the Swedish team accused Brad Jacobs of the Canadian team of hitting twice in the preliminary match at the Cortina Olympic Curling Arena on Friday, February 13. The rivalry between the teams boiled over and NSFW exchanges ensued, prompting a verbal warning from World Curling.

Kennedy first asked who, before replying, "I haven't done it once. You can (expletive) far."Erickson said he would show Kennedy "a video after the game," to which Kennedy replied, "I don't give a (expletive)."

``Obviously, it's OK to touch the rock behind the pigsty,'' Sweden's No. 3 Oscar Eriksson told Canada's No. 3 Mark Kennedy, the Olympic gold medalist at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

Responding to the allegations, World Curling said officials would monitor competitors' deliveries more closely from now on.

"It is not possible for World Curling to have game referees overseeing all hog lines for every stone delivery," the organization said in a statement on Saturday."However, starting from the afternoon session on Saturday (February 14), two officials will travel between all four files and monitor the delivery."

World Curling released another statement on Sunday, Dec.

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How is Olympic curling played?

Two teams of four take turns sliding 44-pound rocks down a sheet of ice toward a target that looks like a bullseye.Each match consists of six to ten rounds, called endgames.The rocks have a handle so that when released, they roll onto the ice.As the rock moves towards the target, players sweep ice in front of it, which can affect the direction and speed of the rock.

During each round, teams take turns throwing eight stones, and the team with the stone or stones closest to the center of the target wins.Players can throw guard to block the goal, draw to try to score, or takeout to remove the opponent's stones when each side plays.There are three curling events at the 2026 Winter Olympics: men's curling, women's curling, and mixed doubles.

What happened to curling hair between Sweden and Canada?

The Swedish team warned officials about possible shipping problems with their opponents during Friday's match, which led to match referees looking at Canada for infringements at three ends.

“There were no violations during this observation period during Friday night's games,” World Curling said in a statement Saturday.

Sweden's Eriksson accused the Swedish team of having evidence of delivery problems, but World Curling said the video cannot be used "to reconsider the game. Decisions are made when the game is final."

Is double contact allowed in curling?

According to the World Curling Rulebook, players may adjust their hands before the hog line, "a line extending across the width of the blade parallel to each tee line," but touching the handle after the hog line is not allowed.A breach would result in the stone being removed from play.

— Rule R. 5(e): "A stone must be released clear of the hand before it reaches the pig line at the end of the delivery. If the player fails to do so, the stone is immediately removed from play by the delivery team."

The player is forbidden to touch the stone granite while moving forward.This violation also results in the stone being removed from play.

— Rule R.5 (d): The curling stone must be thrown using the handle of the stone.

Curling Canada reacts

The Canadian men's team issued a verbal warning regarding the explicit language used during Friday's match.According to World Curling, Kennedy's profanity violated Rule R.19, which states: "Inappropriate behavior, abusive or offensive language, abuse of equipment, or willful damage by any member of the team is prohibited. Any violation may result in the suspension of the offender from the curling organization having jurisdiction."

Curling Canada said its players showed “passion” during a “highly competitive” tournament, but noted the organization stands by the warning.

"We want to reiterate that Curling Canada fully supports fair play, respect and sportsmanship. "We appreciate the support and passion of curling fans everywhere and we look forward to cheering and supporting our Canadian team in Cortina on their journey."

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