World Curling has released an official statement after controversy during the men’s match between Canada and Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Curling has drawn strong global interest this year, with close and competitive games capturing large audiences. Tension, however, rose during a round-robin match when Swedish players questioned whether Canadian deliveries fully respected competition rules.
The concern centered on a possible rule violation — Sweden suggested that a Canadian player may have touched the curling stone after releasing it beyond the hog line, which is not permitted. Match officials closely monitored the following deliveries and later reviewed the situation. Canadian player Marc Kennedy firmly denied any wrongdoing and said he welcomed video review to confirm his actions.
In its statement, World Curling clarified the rule: players may adjust or touch the stone’s handle before it crosses the hog line, but any contact after that point would result in the stone being removed from play. Officials reported that no violations were observed during their monitoring, confirming that Canada’s deliveries complied with current regulations.
The organization also addressed behavior on the ice, noting that a verbal warning was issued after heated language during the match. World Curling reminded teams that unsportsmanlike conduct can lead to penalties or suspension. To prevent future disputes, additional officials will rotate between sheets to better observe deliveries, reinforcing fairness and preserving the spirit of competition throughout the tournament.