Letter: Facts of the whole situation matter in Canada-Sweden curling controversy

By Letter to the Editor on February 26, 2026.

Dear editor,

Every observer of the controversy in the Canada-Sweden men’s curling game at the recent Olympics is entitled to an opinion. It would help if the reports on this incident were read.

The Swedish team complained to the umpire that Marc Kennedy was using an illegal delivery. After observing the action, the official reported that his delivery was within the rules.

In the ninth end, Sweden’s third Oskar Ericksson accused Kennedy of violating the rules and that Sweden had videos to support the accusation.

Sweden was party to a contravention of World Curling rules that only authorized people may film any part of the game.

Kennedy reacted harshly and told Erickson where to go, which was the right response but with poor verbiage. Complaints were also made on Rachel Homan’s delivery, and she had a rock removed from play.

These complaints have puzzled the Canadian teams since they have never had any previous complaints in all their curling, nationally and internationally. Was their delivery an issue, or was it a tactic to throw Canadian curlers off their skillful playing?

Larry Samcoe

Medicine Hat

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