## Women’s Curling Olympics: A Controversy Rocks the Ice
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO (AP) — The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games have been marked by a growing controversy in **women’s curling**, centering around a rule infraction known as “double-touching.” Niklas Edin, soon-to-be curler for Team Sweden, first raised concerns last May, deeming the practice a form of cheating worse than doping. He felt his warnings were ignored, stating, “The whole system needs to be changed so that the judges dare to act.”
This issue exploded onto the world stage during a tense match between Sweden and Canada. Oskar Eriksson, Edin’s teammate, accused Canadian curler Marc Kennedy of double-touching, sparking a viral exchange and catapulting **curling** to the forefront of Olympic attention. Swedish broadcaster SVT released footage seemingly confirming the infraction, yet umpires took no action. Further allegations surfaced involving Canadian Brad Jacobs, again met with inaction.
### The Spirit of Curling vs. Modern Competition
The controversy has put World Curling in a difficult position, balancing the traditional “spirit of curling” – where players self-regulate and address fouls in good faith – with the increasing need for clear rules and penalties as the sport becomes more competitive. World Curling President Beau Welling acknowledged these “growing pains,” stating, “We’re having some growing pains of balancing tradition with modern culture and society.”
## Understanding the Double-Touching Rule
“Double-touching” occurs when a curler touches the stone after releasing its handle. While accidental touches have minimal impact, forceful contact can significantly alter the stone’s trajectory. However, World Curling lacks a clear distinction between accidental and intentional double-touches. The current rule states *any* touching after release is an infraction, warranting removal of the stone, a penalty not consistently enforced.
This inconsistency prompted Swedish journalists and photographers to highlight potential violations, filling the void left by limited umpire scrutiny.
### Accusations and Reactions
Kennedy suggested a “premeditated” plan by the Swedish team to catch infractions, questioning how Swedish media consistently captured key moments. Amanda Zaza, Olympics reporter for Aftonbladet, confirmed the media’s focused interest, spurred by Edin’s earlier statements. SVT vehemently denied any collaboration with the Swedish athletes.
World Curling initially stationed umpires courtside in response to the allegations, but quickly reverted to the original policy of umpire availability only upon player request. This, coupled with the absence of video replay, fueled continued scrutiny from Swedish media. Photographer Pontus Orre captured a potential double-touch by Jacobs, further igniting accusations of cheating.
World Curling officials maintained their stance, stating they do not revisit decisions after a game’s conclusion if no official involvement was requested during play.
## The Future of Curling
Edin later expressed regret over his direct confrontation with Kennedy, acknowledging it detracted from his team’s performance and the sport itself. “It turned into a real (problem), and we haven’t managed it,” he said.
The future of the double-touching rule remains uncertain. Edin plans to discuss the team’s future, questioning whether the sport remains enjoyable.
This controversy highlights the challenges facing **women’s curling** as it navigates tradition, fair play, and the pressures of modern competition. The debate over rule enforcement and the spirit of the game will undoubtedly continue, shaping the future of this beloved Olympic sport.
[Learn more about the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics](https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics)
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AP journalists Steve Douglas and Jimmy Golen contributed to this report.
