World Curling has addressed cheating allegations following a heated men’s curling match between Canada and Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The controversy erupted when Sweden accused Canada’s Marc Kennedy of double-touching stones after release, halting the game and sparking a tense exchange between Kennedy and Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson. Kennedy strongly denied the claim, and World Curling later clarified that any retouching before the hog line is allowed under the rules, effectively confirming that Canada’s actions were within regulation. The organization also reminded players that inappropriate language or conduct could result in sanctions.

Despite Canada’s 8-6 victory, tensions remained high as both teams disputed the interpretation of the rules. World Curling announced additional monitoring for future games, deploying two officials across all sheets to ensure compliance with delivery regulations. Kennedy expressed respect for Eriksson but emphasized that repeated cheating accusations were unfair, while Sweden maintained that the rules had been misread. No formal investigation is planned, and the sport continues to see increased global attention as the Olympics progress.