MILAN, Italy – A heated exchange between Canada and Sweden marred an otherwise compelling round-robin match at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan on Friday, overshadowing Canada’s 8-6 victory. The incident, stemming from allegations of cheating leveled by Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson against Canada’s Marc Kennedy, escalated into a verbal altercation filled with expletives, and accusations.
The controversy erupted during the ninth end of the match. Eriksson accused Kennedy of “double touching” – illegally making contact with his stone after releasing it – a violation of curling rules. According to reports, Eriksson even consulted with an official to closely monitor Kennedy’s subsequent throws. In a reciprocal move, Canada’s lead, Ben Hebert, requested an official observe Eriksson’s deliveries.
Kennedy vehemently denied the accusations, responding with a barrage of expletives, as reported by multiple sources. The exchange briefly halted play as Kennedy confronted members of the Swedish team across the ice. “I don’t like being accused of cheating after 25 years on tour and four Olympic Games,” Kennedy stated after the match. “So, I told him where to stick it. Because we’re the wrong team to do that to.”
Eriksson maintained that his intention was simply to ensure fair play. “We want a game that is as sportsmanlike, honest and clean as possible,” he said. “So we call it out as soon as I see that the Canadian No. 2 is, in my eyes, there poking the stone.” Eriksson also claimed to possess video evidence supporting his allegations.
The World Curling Committee responded to the incident on Saturday, issuing a verbal warning to Canadian team officials regarding Kennedy’s language. A statement from the committee emphasized that inappropriate language would not be tolerated and could result in further sanctions. In a proactive measure, the committee announced that two officials would be assigned to observe deliveries across all four matches starting with Saturday’s afternoon session.
The rules governing stone delivery are precise. Players must release the stone before it reaches the hog line, using only the handle for propulsion. Any contact with the stone after release, other than with the brush or sweeping equipment, constitutes a violation, resulting in the stone being removed from play – a “burnt rock,” as Eriksson described it.
The incident highlights the intense pressure and competitive spirit present at the Olympic level, even within a sport traditionally known for its decorum. The accusations and subsequent outburst are particularly noteworthy given the history between the Canadian and Swedish curling programs, both consistently ranked among the world’s best.
While Canada secured the 8-6 win, the controversy threatens to linger throughout the tournament. The verbal sparring continued even after the game, with Kennedy dismissing Eriksson’s claims as “total horseshit” and suggesting that Sweden was “grasping for straws” in a desperate attempt to remain competitive in the round-robin standings. Eriksson, whose team entered the match with a 0-2 record, implied that the accusations stemmed from a desire to disrupt Canada’s momentum.
The fallout from this incident extends beyond the immediate game. It raises questions about the interpretation of the rules regarding stone delivery and the potential for subjective judgment calls to influence outcomes. The World Curling Committee’s decision to increase official oversight of deliveries suggests a recognition of the need for greater clarity and consistency in enforcing the rules.
The incident also underscores the emotional stakes involved in Olympic competition. The pressure to perform, combined with the intense rivalry between nations, can lead to heated exchanges and accusations, even among athletes known for their sportsmanship. The verbal altercation between Kennedy and Eriksson serves as a reminder that even in a sport celebrated for its strategic nuance and graceful execution, the competitive fire can burn brightly.
Canada and Sweden are both scheduled to compete again on Saturday, and all eyes will be on their respective matches to see if the controversy impacts their performance. The increased scrutiny from officials will undoubtedly add another layer of intensity to the competition, as both teams strive to navigate the challenges of the Olympic stage while upholding the principles of fair play.
