2026 Olympics: Curling Cheating Scandal – Kennedy vs. Sweden

The typically composed sport of curling erupted into a heated exchange during the 2026 Winter Games, as a match between Canada and Sweden descended into accusations and profanity. The incident occurred during the ninth end of the men’s round-robin game, highlighting the competitive intensity even within a sport known for its strategic nuance.

Accusations Fly on the Ice

Oskar Eriksson, the vice-skip for Team Sweden, directly accused Marc Kennedy, Canada’s vice-skip, of cheating. Kennedy’s response was immediate and forceful, reportedly saying, “You can f*** off,” and adding, “I haven’t done it once, don’t chirp.” Eriksson countered by stating he would present video evidence after the game.

Did You Know? The dispute centered around a rule prohibiting players from touching a released stone after it crosses the hog line.

The disagreement stemmed from ongoing complaints from both teams to officials regarding the opposing sides’ releases. Sweden had specifically voiced concerns about Kennedy’s technique earlier in the match. CBC curling expert John Cullen noted that while Sweden was right to raise the issue, proving a violation would require clear evidence.

Official Review and Match Outcome

Despite concerns raised by Sweden and amplified by online analysis, officials ultimately found no evidence of wrongdoing by Canada. A statement released by officials, procured by the CBC’s Devin Heroux, confirmed, “There were no hogline violations or retouches of the stone.”

Canada went on to defeat Sweden 8-6, improving their record to 3-0 in round-robin play. The incident continued to resonate after the match, with Kennedy reportedly audible in the background during a Swedish broadcast interview.

Expert Insight: The outburst underscores the high stakes and emotional investment present in Olympic competition, even in sports traditionally associated with decorum. The accusation of cheating, regardless of its validity, represents a significant breach of sporting etiquette.

Sweden’s skip, Niklas Edin, expressed disappointment that the heated exchange overshadowed the athletic performances. Kennedy, while congratulating Sweden, reiterated his frustration with the accusation, calling it “total horses***.”

Looking Ahead

Canada is scheduled to play Switzerland, also with a 3-0 record, on Saturday at 8:05 a.m. EST/5:05 a.m. PST. It remains to be seen if the tension from this match will carry over into future games, or if the teams will be able to put the incident behind them. A possible next step could be a review of the rules regarding stone release by Olympic officials to provide greater clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sparked the argument between Canada and Sweden?

Oskar Eriksson of Sweden accused Marc Kennedy of Canada of cheating during their curling match.

What was the official ruling on the cheating allegation?

Officials found no evidence of wrongdoing on Canada’s part, stating there were no hogline violations or retouches of the stone.

What was the final score of the Canada-Sweden match?

Canada defeated Sweden 8-6.

How do you think this incident will affect the remainder of the curling tournament?