Canada curling team accused of cheating AGAIN at Winter Olympics as double-touching drama continues
Canada has been hit by new allegations of cheating at the Winter Olympics after the Swiss curling team became the latest team to accuse them of double tapping.
Friday’s curling match between Canada and Sweden was marred by controversy in Cortina after a fierce row broke out over allegations of double-touching on the ice.
Swede Oskar Eriksson repeatedly accused opponent Marc Kennedy of cheating and claimed he double tapped the pieces, prompting an angry response from the Canadian.
“I’ve never done that once,” Kennedy shouted in a wild outburst recorded on the SVT broadcast. ‘You can fuck off.’
And just 24 hours later the Canadian curling team was once again accused of double tapping, this time by Switzerland.
In curling, a double touch by the person throwing the stone before the hog line where the stone should be thrown is not considered a violation. However, if a touch occurs inside the hog line, this will result in a violation.
Canadian curling team faces new allegations of cheating at Winter Olympics
Swiss curler Pablo Lachat-Couchepin (right) claims to have witnessed a double tap
In Saturday’s 9-5 win over Canada, Swiss curler Pablo Lachat-Couchepin was heard telling a coach that he witnessed double touches from the opponent.
“I don’t want to focus too much on it but it was a double touch and the referee saw it,” he said. Toronto Star.
It is unclear whether Lachat-Couchepin voiced her concerns to Olympic officials during or after the match.
The double-tapping controversy even spilled over into women’s curling after Canadian Rachel Homan removed her stone after an official ruled that she had touched the stone again after letting go of its handle.
Despite Homan’s objections, there is no replay and therefore the referee’s final decision stands.
Following Friday’s drama, Curling Canada released a statement about both the cheating allegations and Kennedy’s abusive outburst on television.
“During the game, referees were called to the field of play and closely monitored for any release rule violations, including touching the granite following a complaint by Team Sweden,” the statement said. The statement was included. ‘After three careful observations, no hogline breaches or stone retouching were found by the authorities.
‘The Canadian men’s team also received a verbal warning for the language used during the match, which we know and support. ‘We wish to reaffirm that Curling Canada fully supports the values of fair play, respect and sportsmanship that are fundamental to our sport.’
Canada’s Marc Kennedy reacts angrily after being accused of double-tapping on Friday
World Curling also issued its own statement on the matter: ‘Game Referees are located at the bottom of each page and cannot physically see every delivery violation. However, when informed of delivery problems, game umpires are positioned to observe the delivery at three ends.
‘No violations were recorded during this observation period in Friday evening’s match.’
World Curling also confirmed that two officials will be assigned to monitor all deliveries from Saturday’s matches.
Kennedy apologized for his language on Saturday and acknowledged that his emotions got the better of him after he was accused of cheating.
“I probably could have handled myself better right now,” he told CBC. ‘I know I’m a role model for Canadian curlers, so if I apologize, there will be young curlers across the country who expect more from me at that moment.’
