Olympics Make Major Change After Canada Was Accused Of Cheating By Multiple Countries

The Winter Olympics implemented a change to its curling monitoring system after Canada, the top nation in the sport, became engulfed in accusations of cheating.

Both Canada’s men’s and women’s teams have been accused of the same infraction: double-touching the curling stone after releasing it down the sheet of ice.

The incident began on Friday (February 13), when Team Sweden’s curler, Oskar Eriksson, claimed Canadian curler Marc Kennedy had double-touched the stone.

Canadian curling team competing on ice during Olympics after major change following cheating accusations by multiple countries

Cheating accusations against Canada’s curling squad have prompted the Olympics to change how the sport is monitored

Image credits: Andrew Milligan/Getty Images

“I haven’t done it once, you can f**k off. I don’t give a s**t,” Kennedy responded.

Canada ultimately won the match 8-6, and Kennedy received a verbal warning for using profane language.

A video that appeared to show a double-touch by the Canadian athlete later circulated on social media, taken by Swedish public broadcaster SVT.

Olympics curling match in progress with players discussing strategy on ice during a major event after Canada cheating accusations.

Image credits: SVT

Just 24 hours later, Swiss curler Pablo Lachat-Couchepin was overheard during his country’s 9-5 win over Canada saying he had witnessed double-touching by the Canadians.

“I don’t want to focus too much on it, but he double-touched, and the referee saw it,” Lachat-Couchepin told his coach, as per the Toronto Star. Again, no action was taken.

On Saturday, an umpire intervened after acclaimed Canadian curler Rachel Homan seemingly committed the same infraction during the women’s game against Switzerland.

Canadian curling team competing in the Olympics after major change following cheating accusations from multiple countries.

Team Canada athletes were accused of double-touching the curling stone past the boundary line

Image credits: SVT

Comment about Marc Kennedy, a notable figure in curling, related to the Olympics and cheating accusations involving Canada.

The official stopped the match and removed the stone as Homan looked on in disbelief. She went on to lose the game 1-3 and called the decision “absurd.”

Amid the multiple double-touching allegations, World Curling instituted the use of two umpires to monitor deliveries near the initial boundary, known as the hog line.

However, it later noted that it was “not possible” to have umpires stationed at each of the hog lines during every game, so officials will only do so upon request of a particular team.

Canadian athlete reacting during a curling match amid Olympics major change after accusations of cheating by multiple countries.

Image credits: SVT

Comment from Christine Brennan about Olympic rules breach related to accusations against Canada during the Olympics.

“This change in protocol will see the two umpires who had previously been actively monitoring athlete deliveries remain available in the field of play, but will now only monitor athlete deliveries at the request of the competing teams,” the statement read.

“The umpires when requested will monitor deliveries for a minimum of three ends.”

World Curling said the change was decided after meeting “with representatives of the competing National Olympic Committees.”

Two male athletes in red Swiss team jackets sitting at the Olympics after a major change following cheating accusations.

The Olympics said two umpires would be available to monitor the hog lines upon request

Image credits: Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images

Comment on social media discussing video evidence related to Olympics cheating accusations involving Canada and multiple countries.

Team Canada’s Marc Kennedy later appeared to regret his expletive-laden response to the accusations following Saturday’s loss to Switzerland.

“My whole life I’ve been a little bit like that if my integrity gets questioned. We’re human out there. Lots of emotions,” Kennedy told CBC. “No question I could’ve handled it better, though.”

Increased surveillance of the matches resulted in a stone thrown by the British men’s team being removed for the same offense on Sunday.

During Britain’s round-robin game against Germany, officials said Scottish curler Bobby Lammie had touched a stone after releasing it down the ice.

Canadian curling team members in white uniforms with red maple leaf discussing strategy during Olympics event.

Image credits: Andrew Milligan/Getty Images

Comment by Dianne Zapotichny expressing pride in Kennedy defending his team amid Olympics cheating accusations against Canada.

Meanwhile, Canada accused Sweden of illegally filming its and other curling squads from a location where only Olympic Broadcasting Services is permitted to do so.

Kennedy claimed that “improper video” was taken of his alleged double-touch near the hog line by someone affiliated with Team Sweden “in a bid to influence the event,” as per Newsweek.

“They have come up with a plan here at the Olympics, as far as I know, to catch teams in the act at the hog line,” the Canadian curler said.

Canadian curling team competing in the Olympics during a match amid cheating accusations from multiple countries.

Canada’s Rachel Homan called it “absurd” that an umpire removed the stone she threw after she allegedly double-touched it

Image credits: Al Bello/Getty Images

Comment on social media criticizing Canadian cheating during the Olympics, highlighting controversy among multiple countries.

“They actually had videos for the Italian team as well,” claimed Team Canada coach Paul Webster. “So they’ve got people up there videoing, and that whole thing was premeditated and planned.”

Unlike some sports that rely on video replays to review gameplay, World Curling reiterated that its umpires do not use this type of assistance.

Athletes are divided over whether this technology should be implemented, with some curlers arguing that it would disrupt the speed of play and others saying video replay is necessary in many instances.

Female Canadian curler in red jacket releasing stone on ice during Olympics after cheating accusations controversy.

Image credits: CBC News

Comment from Von Dollo discussing rules and double touching in a sports context related to Olympics cheating accusations.

Team Canada faced damaging accusations even before the Winter Games began.

In January, USA’s Katie Uhlaender, a five-time Winter Olympian in skeleton, accused the Canadian skeleton team of deliberately pulling four of its six athletes from a race to make it harder for rival athletes to qualify.

Woman with long hair in a dark shirt speaking about Olympics and major change after Canada cheating accusations.

Canada’s skeleton team faced accusations of cheating before the Olympics began

Image credits: CBC News

However, after investigating the matter, the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) said federations are allowed “to withdraw athletes from competition at any time” and dismissed the complaints.

The recent curling controversy comes after a French ice dancing judge was accused of favoring their fellow nationals, Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, to win a gold medal.

The French duo took home gold after narrowly beating the American pair, Madison Chock and Evan Bates.

Viewers pointed to alleged mistakes committed by the French, including being out of sync and Cizeron failing his twizzle sequence. Even Italian skater Marco Fabbri, who finished fourth, stated that Team USA “deserved” the top prize.

Olympic athlete in a skeleton racing suit with eagle helmet design speeding down an icy track at the Winter Olympics.

Image credits: Al Bello/Getty Images

Nine judges favored Chock and Bates, but a French judge reportedly scored Fournier and Cizeron nearly eight points higher than Team USA, resulting in their compatriots’ win.

Amid allegations of unfair judging, the International Skating Union (ISU) has defended the outcome of the ice dancing competition, insisting that “it is normal for there to be a range of scores given by different judges in any panel.”

The governing body also stressed that safeguards exist to prevent bias from affecting results. This is reportedly achieved by automatically discarding the highest and lowest scores for each element and program before the remaining marks are averaged.

“The ISU has full confidence in the scores given and remains completely committed to fairness,” it stated.

User comment discussing thorough investigation and commitment to uncovering truth after Olympics cheating accusations against Canada.

People reacted to the scandal, which one viewer dubbed “Curl-gate”

Comment by Shirley Dalzell expressing surprise at curling being fun and hoping golf becomes exciting at the Olympics after cheating accusations.

Comment by Andy Eames questioning fairness for Canadians after Olympics make major change following cheating accusations.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing curling, related to Olympics and cheating accusations involving Canada.

Comment by Stefan Furth discussing handling of cheating accusations in Olympics after Canada's controversy.

Comment by Bob Funk joking about competitors whacking each other with brooms, referencing Olympics cheating controversy involving Canada.

Comment from Jason Chamberlain about psychology and innocence, related to Olympics cheating accusations and major change discussion.

Comment by Snyggputte Person questioning sponsors' statements related to Olympics cheating accusations involving Canada.

Comment by Robert Bridgewater explaining curling rules related to rock touching after release in an Olympics context.

Comment criticizing Canada’s player and praising Czech Mix Doubles for fair play amid Olympics cheating accusations.

Comment discussing accusations of cheating against Canadian curling teams at the Olympics and calls for official intervention.

Comment highlighting increased attention to curling after Olympics make a major change amid cheating accusations.

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Comment by Alison Hucal Buchanan reacting to Olympics make major change after Canada was accused of cheating by multiple countries.

Comment discussing Canada’s alleged cheating in the Olympics and the controversy surrounding it.

Comment highlighting accusations of cheating against Canada in the Olympics curling event, sparking major changes.

Comment from Joan Cleland urging respectful conduct after Canada was accused of cheating in the Olympics by multiple countries.

Comment expressing enthusiasm for full contact curling with mention of Canada and Sweden amid Olympics cheating accusations.

Comment from Alicia Morgan expressing excitement about a major Olympics change after Canada was accused of cheating.

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