The normally serene world of Olympic curling has been rocked by a fiery controversy at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games, where Canada’s veteran curler Marc Kennedy found himself at the center of a heated exchange with Swedish opponent Oskar Eriksson during a tense round-robin match. The incident escalated when Eriksson accused Kennedy of illegally “double-touching” his stone—touching the granite after releasing it past the hog line, a clear violation under curling rules. Kennedy’s furious denial culminated in a widely broadcast shout of “You can f*** off,” stunning viewers and prompting a post-match confrontation with a reporter that further amplified the drama.

The clash occurred during Canada’s 8-6 victory over Sweden on Friday evening at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. As accusations flew across the ice in the ninth end, Eriksson pointed out what he believed was Kennedy touching his stone twice, offering to show video evidence afterward. Kennedy, a 44-year-old four-time Olympian playing third for skip Brad Jacobs, vehemently rejected the claim. “I haven’t done it once,” he shouted, before unleashing the expletive-laden retort: “You can f*** off.” He repeated the phrase, adding frustration over Eriksson’s on-ice behavior, including accusations of “walking around my peel and dancing around the house.”

The outburst, captured on lapel microphones worn by players and broadcast live, drew immediate attention. World Curling issued a verbal warning to the Canadian team the following morning regarding the inappropriate language, reminding all competitors of conduct expectations at the Games. No further sanctions were applied for the alleged rule breach during the match itself, as officials did not call a violation at the time, though footage circulating online appeared to show Kennedy’s finger grazing or contacting the stone post-release in an unnatural motion.

Kennedy addressed the incident the next day, acknowledging he “probably could have handled it better” but firmly denying any intentional cheating. With 25 years of professional experience, he insisted he had never taken to the ice intending to gain an unfair advantage. He suggested the accusations might stem from a “premeditated” effort by Sweden—one of Canada’s fiercest rivals for gold—to target his team. “We’re the wrong team to do that to,” Kennedy said, implying the Swedes were attempting to rattle them amid a high-stakes competition. He also countered by questioning whether Eriksson had committed similar infractions, turning the spotlight back on the opponents.

The controversy didn’t end on the ice. Shortly after the game, Kennedy clashed with a reporter—reportedly from Swedish media—who pressed him on the allegations and his profane response. Visibly frustrated, Kennedy snapped back during the exchange, questioning the journalist’s experience with heated arguments and defending his actions as a natural reaction to being unfairly accused after decades in the sport. “You’ve never seen two guys have a heated argument before?” he fumed, escalating the tension further in what became another viral moment from the event.

This wasn’t an isolated issue. The double-touching allegations have rippled through the tournament, with Canada’s women’s team facing similar scrutiny in subsequent matches, and even Team GB reportedly having a stone removed over a related call. The incidents caught World Curling off guard, leading to emergency clarifications on rules enforcement and increased scrutiny from officials. Some changes to umpiring protocols were introduced in response, though Canadian skip Brad Jacobs criticized them as “despicable,” arguing they disrupted the flow of play.

Curling, often praised for its emphasis on etiquette, honor, and self-policing, rarely sees such overt confrontations. The sport’s rules strictly prohibit touching the stone after release past the hog line, as it could impart unintended momentum—though experts note that minor grazes might have negligible impact on the rock’s path. Intent remains the contentious point: was it a deliberate push for advantage, or an inadvertent habit under pressure? Online analyses, including slowed-down clips from multiple angles, have fueled debate, with some curlers and fans calling it a clear infraction, while others argue it didn’t alter the end’s outcome.

Canada’s strong performance continued despite the uproar, maintaining a solid record in round-robin play. Kennedy, a key member of the team that has medaled in previous Olympics, has long enjoyed a positive reputation in the curling community for his skill and sportsmanship. This episode, however, has tested that image, drawing criticism for poor language in front of global audiences—including families and young fans watching the Olympics.

The feud has also spilled into broader discussions about rivalries at the elite level. Sweden, led by skip Niklas Edin, has been a dominant force in recent years, and the back-and-forth has added intensity to what was already one of the tournament’s most anticipated matchups. Eriksson’s insistence on video evidence and Kennedy’s defensive posture highlight how technology—like broadcast replays and personal recordings—now plays a role in policing the game, even as it escalates tensions.

As the Games progress toward medal rounds, the incident serves as a reminder of the high stakes and emotions involved. Curlers pride themselves on integrity, but pressure can lead to flashpoints. Kennedy has expressed regret over his choice of words while standing by his denial of wrongdoing. The episode has sparked calls for better education on rules and conduct, ensuring the focus returns to the strategic brilliance of the sport rather than controversy.

With curling’s unique blend of precision, strategy, and quiet intensity now overshadowed by shouts and accusations, the curling world watches closely. Whether this fuels Canada’s motivation or becomes a distraction remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the ice at Cortina has rarely felt so heated.