Canadian curler Marc Kennedy erupts at Swedish rival during Olympic match in Canada as accusations of cheating spark heated confrontation on the ice in Beijing

It was meant to be just another tight contest between two curling heavyweights.

Instead, Canada’s Marc Kennedy found himself at the centre of a heated confrontation that quickly became one of the talking points of the Winter Games.

During Canada’s tense 8-6 victory over Sweden on Friday, Kennedy exploded after repeated accusations from Swedish rival Oskar Eriksson that he had double-touched his stone during delivery — a serious allegation in a sport built on trust and precision.

At one point, with emotions boiling over, Kennedy snapped back: “I haven’t done it once. You can f*** off.”

In curling, where etiquette is almost sacred and players often call their own infractions, such a public outburst felt jarring.

Integrity questioned and the bulldog unleashed

Speaking a day later, after Canada slipped to a 9-5 defeat against Switzerland, Kennedy didn’t shy away from what happened.

He admitted the language crossed a line but stood firm on why he reacted so fiercely.

He made it clear that being accused of cheating cuts deeper than most things in sport.

Curling careers are long — Kennedy has been competing at the top level for years, including Olympic gold in 2010 as an alternate — and reputations are everything.

He insisted he has never once sought a competitive edge through dishonesty.

When pressed, he described his instinct in that moment as being a “bulldog.”

He doesn’t regret defending himself or his teammates, he said — only the wording he used to do it.

Claims of a wider strategy

The tension didn’t end with the final stone.

Kennedy suggested Sweden may have approached the match with a deliberate plan to monitor and challenge opponents over potential rule breaches.

According to him, there were early signs — conversations between coaches and quick movements toward officials — that made it feel premeditated.

He even hinted that Canada might not be the only team to have felt targeted in this way.

Accusations of double-touching are rare but explosive.

The rule exists to prevent players from subtly influencing a stone after release.

Because officials cannot monitor every delivery closely, much of the sport relies on mutual respect and self-reporting — which is precisely why such allegations carry so much weight.

Governing body steps in

On Saturday, World Curling confirmed Kennedy had received a verbal warning for his outburst, noting that further inappropriate behaviour could trigger additional sanctions.

That response reflects curling’s long-standing emphasis on sportsmanship.

Known as the “Spirit of Curling,” the code expects players to behave with honour and composure, even in moments of high stress.

While heated exchanges happen in all elite sport, curling traditionally prides itself on a different tone.

For now, Kennedy remains eligible to compete, but the warning serves as a reminder that officials are watching closely.

Mixed fortunes across the sheets

Away from the drama, the competition itself continues at pace.

Scotland’s Bruce Mouat, representing Team GB, climbed to second in the round robin standings after a 7-4 win over the Czech Republic.

That marked three victories from four matches, a welcome rebound after Mouat’s earlier disappointment in the mixed event this week.

Meanwhile, Sophie Jackson’s women’s team secured a morale-boosting 7-6 win over Canada to register their first victory after two early defeats.

With the round robin stage still unfolding, every win is critical in the race for the knockout rounds.

A sport built on respect now under the spotlight

Curling rarely dominates headlines for controversy.

It is a sport often associated with calm calculation, quiet communication and respectful handshakes.

That is exactly why this clash between Kennedy and Eriksson has drawn such attention.

The episode underscores how razor-thin margins and Olympic pressure can test even the most seasoned athletes.

For Kennedy, the challenge now is balancing fierce self-defence with the sport’s long-held code of conduct.

What’s next?

Canada will aim to steady themselves after the loss to Switzerland, knowing consistency in the remaining round robin matches is crucial to securing a semi-final berth.

Kennedy, for his part, has promised to rein in his language — but he has also made it clear he will continue to defend his integrity if challenged again.

Officials may monitor future matches more closely, particularly if tensions resurface between Canada and Sweden later in the tournament.

A potential rematch in the knockout stages would add another layer of intrigue.

For now, the focus returns to the ice — but the echoes of Friday’s confrontation are unlikely to fade quickly.

Summary

Marc Kennedy became embroiled in a heated Olympic curling clash after angrily denying Swedish accusations that he double-touched a stone during Canada’s win over Sweden.

He later admitted regret over his language but stood firm in defending his integrity, suggesting Sweden may have deliberately tried to catch teams breaking rules.

World Curling issued a verbal warning, cautioning that further misconduct could lead to sanctions.

Meanwhile, Britain’s Bruce Mouat strengthened his position in the round robin and Sophie Jackson’s women’s team secured a key victory, as the tournament continues amid both sporting drama and off-ice tension.