World Curling confirmed that proper protocol was adhered to during a controversial men's curling match at the Milan Cortina Olympics between Canada and Sweden, following complaints about double-touching the stone.
During a men's curling match at the Milan Cortina Olympics, a complaint was raised regarding the double-touching of stones by players, specifically during a game between Canada and Sweden. Following the complaint, World Curling stated that the official protocol was followed, which involved the presence of umpires at the hog line to monitor the delivery of stones. This monitoring took place over three ends of the game, ensuring no violations occurred during this observation period.
Canada’s Brad Jacobs clinched victory over Sweden’s Niklas Edin with a final score of 8-6 in a highly charged atmosphere, which included the use of profane language that was audible on player microphones. As tensions rose during the match, a particular point of contention arose when Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson expressed discontent over some Canadian players' actions, indicating underlying frustrations that surfaced during the contest.
The incident highlights the importance of maintaining fair play and the adherence to regulations within competitive sports like curling. The monitoring of the game by officials underscores World Curling's commitment to upholding the sport's integrity, especially during such pivotal international events, and reflects the necessary responses to complaints that can arise in high-stakes matches.
