World Curling has issued an official statement following controversy during the men’s curling match between Canada and Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Curling has attracted significant global attention this year, drawing large audiences as teams compete in closely contested matches. However, tension rose during one round-robin game when Swedish players questioned whether Canadian deliveries followed competition rules.
The dispute began when Sweden raised concerns that a Canadian player might have touched the curling stone after releasing it, which would violate regulations if it occurred beyond the hog line. Officials monitored subsequent deliveries during the match and later reviewed the situation. Canadian player Marc Kennedy strongly denied any wrongdoing, stating he welcomed video review of his deliveries.
In its statement, World Curling clarified that players are permitted to adjust or retouch the stone’s handle before it crosses the hog line, but any contact afterward results in the stone being removed from play. Officials reported that no rule violations were recorded during their observation period, indicating Canada’s deliveries were within the current regulations.
The governing body also addressed on-ice conduct, confirming that a verbal warning was issued following heated language used during the match. World Curling reminded teams that inappropriate behavior can lead to penalties or suspension. To avoid further disputes, additional officials will now rotate between sheets to better monitor deliveries, ensuring fair play and maintaining the spirit of competition throughout the tournament.