What's happened
At the 2026 Winter Olympics, a series of disputes over 'double-touching' stones and monitoring protocols have led to rule clarifications and increased scrutiny. The controversy involves Canadian, British, and Norwegian teams, highlighting tensions between sportsmanship and officiating standards amid growing professionalism.
What's behind the headline?
The recent curling disputes reveal a fundamental tension between tradition and professionalism. The sport's emphasis on sportsmanship is challenged by increased officiating, including monitoring protocols and video replays. The decision to reduce active monitoring suggests a desire to preserve the sport's spirit, but it risks undermining fairness and consistency. The accusations against Canadian and British teams, coupled with the governing body's cautious response, indicate a broader shift towards stricter enforcement that could reshape curling's future. This controversy underscores the need for clear, consistent rules and transparent officiating to maintain integrity while respecting the sport's cultural roots. The outcome will likely influence how curling balances tradition with the demands of modern competition, impacting athlete behavior and spectator trust.
What the papers say
AP News and The Japan Times provide detailed accounts of the incidents, highlighting the rules violations and the governing body's responses. AP News emphasizes the controversy over 'double-touching' and the adjustments in monitoring protocols, quoting officials and athletes. The Japan Times offers context on the accusations and the broader implications for the sport's officiating standards. Both sources illustrate the tension between maintaining the sport's integrity and adapting to increased scrutiny, with AP News noting the decision to limit active monitoring and The Japan Times discussing the potential impact on athlete behavior and sportsmanship. The coverage from Sky News and NY Post adds perspectives on the athletes' reactions and the evolving rules, emphasizing the importance of clarity and consistency in officiating to preserve the sport's reputation.
How we got here
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy have seen heightened attention on curling, a sport traditionally rooted in sportsmanship and self-officiating. Recent incidents involve accusations of rule infractions, notably 'double-touching' stones, which have prompted the governing body, World Curling, to adjust monitoring protocols. The sport is evolving from a casual, self-regulated game to a more scrutinized, professional competition, sparking debate over officiating methods and the spirit of the game.
Go deeper
Common question
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What’s the controversy around curling at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
The 2026 Winter Olympics have seen a heated debate over curling rules and officiating. Allegations of rule infractions, particularly touching stones after the hog line, have sparked controversy among athletes, officials, and fans. With no video replays used to review disputes, questions about fairness and officiating standards are more prominent than ever. Below, we explore the key issues and what they mean for Olympic curling.
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Bobby Lammie is a Scottish curler from Glasgow. He currently plays second on Team Bruce Mouat.
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Marc Kennedy is a Canadian curler, and Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic gold medallist from St. Albert, Alberta.
In 2019, Kennedy was named the greatest Canadian male second in history in a TSN poll of broadcasters, reporters and top curlers.
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Sweden, officially the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, Finland to the east, and is connected to Denmark in the southwest by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund Strait.
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Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering 9.98 million square kilometres, making it the world's second-largest c
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Rachel Catherine Homan is a Canadian international curler. Homan is a former Canadian junior champion, a three-time Canadian national champion, and the 2017 world champion, all as a skip.
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The World Curling Federation is the world governing body for curling accreditation, with offices in Perth, Scotland. It was formed out of the International Curling Federation, when the push for Olympic Winter Sport status was made.
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Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a country situated in the confluence of Western, Central, and Southern Europe. It is a federal republic composed of 26 cantons, with federal authorities based in Bern.