Surveillance Allegations Heighten Olympic Curling Tensions Between Canada and Sweden
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Monday, 16 February 2026.
Canada claims Sweden coordinated video surveillance to catch rule violations, escalating a ‘double-touch’ controversy that has forced World Curling to urgently revise officiating protocols mid-tournament.
Integrity of the Game Questioned Amidst Espionage Claims
What began as a technical dispute over rock releases has evolved into a complex integrity scandal at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. Following a heated match on February 13, Canadian vice-skip Marc Kennedy alleged that the Swedish team orchestrated a surveillance plan to expose rule violations [1][2]. This accusation of “double-touching”—where a player contacts the stone after it crosses the hog line—has disrupted the traditional camaraderie of the Games, with Kennedy claiming the scrutiny was premeditated as early as February 12 [2]. The dispute centers on whether competitive intelligence is being weaponized to enforce rules that rely heavily on the honor system.
The Inciting Incident and Escalation
The controversy ignited during the men’s preliminary round on Friday, February 13, when Swedish alternate Oskar Eriksson accused Kennedy of the infraction during Canada’s 8-6 victory [3][2]. The confrontation escalated quickly; while Canada secured the win, the team received a verbal warning from World Curling for using explicit language during a tense exchange on the ice [3]. Kennedy vehemently denied the accusation at the time, telling Eriksson he had not committed the foul once, though video footage circulated by Swedish broadcaster SVT appeared to contradict this defense [1][2]. The footage has since become a focal point of the debate regarding the intersection of broadcast technology and officiating.
Systemic Scrutiny and Governance Shifts
The allegations suggest a coordinated effort rather than isolated officiating calls. Reports indicate that a camera operator for SVT, Sweden’s public broadcaster, specifically repositioned to the hog line to capture delivery mechanics after the Swedish team raised concerns [2]. This heightened scrutiny spread to the women’s competition on February 14, when Canadian skip Rachel Homan had a stone removed for a double-touch violation during an 8-7 loss to Switzerland [4][3]. Homan expressed deep frustration, stating the officials were “making something up” and intervening in a game where they had “no business” [3]. In response to the growing outcry, World Curling altered its officiating procedures mid-tournament on February 15, stating that umpires would now only actively monitor athlete deliveries at the specific request of competing teams [3].
Performance Under Pressure
The psychological toll of these disputes appears to be weighing on the Canadian delegation, a traditional powerhouse in the sport. Following the initial incident with Sweden, the Canadian men’s team faltered, losing 9-5 to Switzerland on February 15 [4]. With the women’s team also struggling to secure wins necessary for advancement, the technical debate over release mechanics has become a central narrative of the 2026 Games [1]. As the tournament progresses, the strict enforcement of the double-touch rule continues to impact outcomes; on February 16, the British men’s team also saw a stone removed for the same infraction during a match against Germany [4]. The Canadian squad has acknowledged the need to potentially adjust their release techniques to survive the medal rounds [1].