Article by Mihai Șovei – Published Saturday, February 14, 2026, 11:13 p.m. / Updated Saturday, February 14, 2026, 11:19 p.m.
The representatives of Sweden and Switzerland have accused Canadian Marc Kennedy of improperly pushing his stones in the curling event at the Winter Olympics.
It is the second time, in two consecutive matches, that the Canadian athlete has been accused of using irregular tactics.
Canadian Marc Kennedy, accused of cheating at the Winter Olympics
Marc Kennedy, 44, a 2010 gold medalist and 2014 bronze medalist, was involved in a heated verbal exchange with Sweden's Oskar Eriksson late in Canada's 8-6 win on Friday.
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Team Sweden claimed that the Canadian athlete repeatedly touched the stones after the launch, a maneuver known as “double-touching“
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Specifically, he released the handle at the right moment, but then gently pushed the stone with his finger to correct its trajectory
The controversy resurfaced Saturday when the Canadians returned to the ice to face Switzerland. This time, the Swiss charged Kennedy for the same offense during the match, which they won 9-5.
The moment that caused a scandal at the Winter Olympics
“I saw Kennedy do it when the referee was right next to me. I have nothing personal with Marc, but the rules have to be followed”, said Pablo Lachat-Couchepin, a member of the Swiss team, according to the BBC.
The incident prompted the World Curling Federation (World Curling) to announce that it would increase the number of officials for the remainder of the competition to monitor such violations.
After the first accusation, Kennedy, who later received a warning for foul language, explained what he thought:
“I don't like being accused of cheating after 25 years on the circuit and four Olympics. So I told Eriksson what I thought about it. Maybe he was upset that he was losing.”
Mark Kennedy
