Curling World's Reaction Revealed After Canada vs. Sweden Rules Check

World Curling has released a statement in response to a dispute that arose during the men’s curling match between Canada and Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The match attracted significant global attention as teams engaged in closely contested games.

Sweden raised concerns during the game, questioning whether a Canadian player had touched the curling stone after releasing it, potentially violating competition rules. Officials closely monitored subsequent deliveries and investigated the situation.

Canadian player Marc Kennedy refuted any allegations of wrongdoing, expressing willingness to have his deliveries reviewed via video. World Curling clarified that players can adjust the stone before it crosses the hog line, but any contact afterward leads to the stone being removed from play.

Officials confirmed no rule violations were detected during their observations, indicating that Canada's deliveries complied with regulations. The governing body addressed issues of on-ice conduct, mentioning a verbal warning issued due to heated language during the match.

To prevent future disputes, additional officials will rotate between sheets to better oversee deliveries, ensuring fair play and upholding the competitive spirit of the tournament.