Controversy has erupted at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, with both Canadian curling teams—the men’s and women’s squads—finding themselves at the center of a heated debate over "double-touching" violations. The accusations, which have now spanned multiple matches and involved several nations, have cast a shadow over what is traditionally one of the Olympics’ most sportsmanlike competitions. With the stakes high and tempers flaring, the integrity of Canadian curling is being challenged on the world’s biggest stage.
The saga began on February 13, 2026, during a men’s round-robin match between Canada and Sweden. Swedish third Oskar Eriksson accused Canadian curler Marc Kennedy of double-touching—a rules infraction that involves making contact with the curling stone after it has crossed the hog line. The hog line, a green marker about 10 meters from the start of the ice sheet, is a critical boundary in curling: players must release the stone before crossing it, and any subsequent contact is strictly forbidden under World Curling rules.
Eriksson’s accusation did not go unnoticed. Cameras captured a fiery exchange between the two athletes, with Kennedy vehemently denying any wrongdoing. “I haven’t done it once, you can f–k off. I don’t give a s–t,” Kennedy retorted, as broadcast by NBC. The confrontation escalated, with Eriksson responding, “Okay, I’ll show you a video after the game.” Despite the heated words, no penalty was assessed for the alleged infraction. Canada went on to win the match 8-6, but Kennedy received a verbal warning from officials for his use of profane language.
World Curling quickly stepped in to clarify the rules and the process for handling such disputes. In a statement, communications chief Chris Hamilton explained, “The issue of second touches of the stone, specifically the granite, during the delivery was brought to the umpire’s attention. Officials spoke with both teams and set game umpires at the hogline to monitor deliveries for three ends, which is the official protocol following this type of complaint. There were no hogline violations or retouches of the stone during the observation period.”
But the drama was far from over. On February 14, during a women’s round-robin match between Canada and Switzerland, the controversy resurfaced. Canadian skip Rachel Homan was called for double-touching after officials ruled she had touched her stone again post-release. The umpire stopped play and removed Homan’s stone from the sheet—an action that left both the team and spectators stunned. Switzerland ultimately edged out Canada 8-7 in the closely contested match.
Homan, 36, was quick to deny the infraction. “Like, absolutely not. Zero-percent chance,” she declared, according to The Washington Post and Fox News. After the match, she expanded on her frustration, saying, “I don’t understand the call. I’ll never understand it. We’ve never done that. It has nothing to do with us.” Teammate Emma Miskew questioned why the decision wasn’t subject to video review, only to be told by officials that in World Curling, such calls are not reviewable by video and the umpire’s judgment must be trusted.
The Canadian women’s team’s sense of injustice was compounded by the recent scrutiny of the men’s squad. Homan noted that the ongoing controversy surrounding the men’s team had unfairly placed her team under the microscope. “My whole life I’ve been a little bit like that if my integrity gets questioned. We’re human out there. Lots of emotions,” Marc Kennedy reflected in a calmer post-match interview with CBC. “No question I could’ve handled it better, though.”
Meanwhile, Team Sweden and Team Switzerland aren’t the only ones raising eyebrows. The British men’s team was also caught in the crossfire. On February 16, during a round-robin match against Germany, Scottish curler Bobby Lammie was accused of double-touching in the ninth end. Officials removed his stone from play, citing the same violation that has plagued the Canadians. The increased scrutiny comes as World Curling announced a change in protocol: umpires would now monitor athlete deliveries only at the request of competing teams, rather than actively observing every throw.
The controversy has sparked debate not just about the rules, but about the spirit of the sport itself. Curling, often celebrated for its camaraderie and respect, has rarely seen such animosity on the Olympic stage. Canadian skip Brad Jacobs didn’t mince words, suggesting that the Swedish team’s accusations were “premeditated” and possibly part of a deliberate tactic. “It felt like that was premeditated,” Jacobs told reporters. “We also heard that they did the same thing against the Italian team. So I don’t know what they’re doing and what they’re trying to pull.”
Canadian coach Paul Webster echoed concerns about video evidence, pointing out that some recordings circulating on social media may have been filmed by Swedish fans or officials, potentially violating Olympic broadcasting rules. Team Sweden, for its part, denied any inappropriate filming, with Eriksson clarifying that the video he referenced was shot at a previous competition, not at the Olympics.
For many, the heart of the matter lies in the rules themselves. World Curling’s statement reiterated that “during forward motion, touching the granite of the stone is not allowed. This will result in the stone being removed from play.” The organization also cited Rule R.19, warning that “improper conduct, foul or offensive language, equipment abuse, or wilful damage on the part of any team member is prohibited. Any violation may result in suspension of the offending person(s) by the curling organisation having jurisdiction.”
As the Olympic curling tournament continues, both Canadian teams find themselves under intense scrutiny, their every move watched by officials, opponents, and a global audience. The controversy has not only put their medal hopes in jeopardy but has also tested their composure and sportsmanship. With the semifinals looming, the possibility of another Canada-Sweden showdown is enough to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
For now, the action is ongoing and the debate far from settled. All eyes remain on the ice, where every stone—and every touch—could make history.