Fresh controversy has emerged in Olympic curling after Team Canada’s men faced a second allegation of a “double-touch” violation during competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The latest claim came during a round-robin matchup against Team Switzerland, just one day after a similar accusation from Team Sweden.
The initial dispute involved Swedish curler Oskar Eriksson, who alleged that Canadian third Marc Kennedy committed a double-touch — a rules violation that occurs when a player makes contact with the stone’s handle after release beyond the hog line. Broadcast microphones captured a heated exchange between the players. Despite the disagreement, Canada secured an 8-6 win, and officials did not impose a competitive penalty, issuing only a verbal warning related to language used during the exchange.
During Saturday’s match against Switzerland, Swiss curler Pablo Lachat-Couchepin was heard raising concerns about another possible double-touch involving Canada. Switzerland went on to win that game 9-5. Officials did not announce any additional penalties beyond routine oversight, but the back-to-back claims have intensified scrutiny around rule enforcement and player conduct.
The controversy extended beyond the men’s competition. Canada’s women’s team also faced a double-touch ruling in its matchup with Switzerland. Officials ordered the removal of a stone thrown by Canadian skip Rachel Homan after determining a violation had occurred. In a separate match, Scottish curler Bobby Lammie of Great Britain had a stone removed under the same rule during a game against Germany.
Double-touch violations can significantly impact outcomes in closely contested matches, as the penalty typically results in the immediate removal of the affected stone. With increased camera coverage and heightened monitoring at this year’s Games, officials appear to be applying stricter scrutiny. As the tournament continues, attention remains focused on maintaining both competitive integrity and sportsmanship on the ice.