Exhaustive Olympic Curling Schedule Fuels Fatigue as Rule Turmoil Briefly Escalates
Updated (5 articles)
Intense 18‑Day Match Load Overwhelms Athletes The Milan‑Cortina Games feature 147 curling matches across 18 days, making curling the only sport contested daily and forcing teams like Canada’s Brad Jacobs to play nine games in eight days before semifinals [1]. Competitors report severe physical and mental exhaustion, relying on physiotherapy and constant strategic focus, while Swiss skip Yannick Schwaller calls the timetable a “grind” [1].
Mid‑Tournament Rule Change Sparks Immediate Backlash World Curling introduced a temporary umpire‑monitoring rule at the hog line after a double‑touch allegation against Canadian Marc Kennedy, then rescinded it within days, reverting to self‑policing [3]. Jacobs’ squad must adapt to the brief rule shift while preparing for possible medal games, highlighting the controversy’s disruptive impact [1][3].
Team Canada Rotates Roster to Preserve Energy Canada swapped veteran Ben Hebert for rookie alternate Tyler Tardi in the final round‑robin match, giving Hebert rest before the semifinals and showcasing the depth of the squad [1]. Jacobs anticipates up to six additional hours of ice time, while other top curlers, including Italy’s Amos Mosaner, plan short recovery breaks after the event [1].
Officials Emphasize Curling’s Integrity Amid Calls for Reform World Curling President Beau Welling defended the sport’s “spirit of integrity, honor and friendship” despite the scandal [3]. Canada Curling CEO Nolan Thiessen urged greater professional oversight, and veteran Ben Hebert predicted the controversy would fade within two weeks [3].
Cheating Allegations Divide Community and Prompt Media Scrutiny Accusations that Kennedy performed an illegal double‑touch ignited debate across the curling world, with Sweden’s men’s team exiting after a sixth loss in seven round‑robin games [3]. A separate AP photo gallery captured the heightened emotions of athletes from the United States, Italy, Norway, Estonia, and others between Feb. 5‑17, underscoring the event’s intensity [2].
Sources
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1.
AP: Curlers Face Exhausting Schedule and Rule Turmoil at Milan‑Cortina Games – Details the 147‑match schedule, athlete fatigue, roster rotations, and a mid‑tournament rule controversy affecting teams like Canada and Switzerland .
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2.
AP: Cheating Allegations Spark Controversy in 2026 Olympic Curling – Provides a photo chronicle of matches Feb. 5‑17, highlighting U.S. mixed‑doubles pair Dropkin, European reactions, and stone preparation, illustrating the sport’s competitive pressure .
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3.
AP: Olympic Curling Controversy Settles as Medal Games Loom – Reports the Marc Kennedy double‑touch accusation, brief umpire rule implementation, statements from Hebert, Welling, and Thiessen, and Sweden’s round‑robin elimination .
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Timeline
Feb 4, 2026 – Mixed‑doubles round‑robin opens two days before the opening ceremony in Cortina, but a brief power outage dims lights and pauses play for three minutes; heavy snowfall exceeding eight inches also delays luge training, while debutant U.S. skip Korey Dropkin says the atmosphere is “very cool” and the team will “pour our hearts out on the ice,” Canadian fan Bernard Benoit calls curling “a mix of athleticism and intellect,” and volunteer Stephanie Kahn marvels at the athletes’ “commitment” [4][5].
Feb 5‑17, 2026 – Photo coverage documents intense competition across nations, showing Dropkin delivering stones on Feb 5, celebrating with Cory Thiesse on Feb 8, and facing Italy on Feb 9; European athletes such as Italy’s Mattia Giovanella (Feb 13) and Estonia’s Marie Kaldvee (Feb 5) display heated reactions, while women’s teams from Canada, China and Switzerland appear on Feb 16, underscoring the global field and the meticulous preparation of stones on Feb 11 [2].
Feb 17, 2026 – A cheating scandal erupts when Canadian curler Marc Kennedy is accused of an illegal double‑touch, prompting officials to station umpires at the hog line for a brief rule change that is quickly rescinded, while World Curling President Beau Welling affirms the “spirit of curling,” Ben Hebert predicts the issue will fade within two weeks, Canada Curling CEO Nolan Thiessen calls for greater oversight, and Sweden’s defending men’s team exits after a sixth loss in seven round‑robin games [3].
Mid‑Feb 2026 – The Olympic curling program runs 147 matches over 18 days, the most intensive schedule ever, making curling the only sport contested every day of the Games; Canadian skip Brad Jacobs has already played nine matches in eight days, faces up to six more hours of ice time amid the mid‑tournament rule controversy, and says he looks forward to rest after the semifinals [1].
Mid‑Feb 2026 – Swiss skip Yannick Schwaller remains unbeaten through the round‑robin and prepares to head straight to the Swiss championships for another 12 matches after the Olympics, describing the Olympic timetable as a “grind” he wishes could be altered [1].
Late‑Feb 2026 – Team Canada rotates its lineup, inserting rookie alternate Tyler Tardi for veteran Ben Hebert in the final round‑robin game to give Hebert a rest before the semifinals, with Tardi noting his envy of hockey’s lighter schedule [1].
Late‑Feb 2026 – As medal rounds approach, athletes such as Italy’s mixed‑doubles bronze‑medalist Amos Mosaner announce plans to take one or two weeks off to recover physically and mentally before returning to training [1].
Late‑Feb 2026 (future) – With the controversy settled, the curling venue readies for the medal games, and officials expect the sport’s media coverage to return to its normal four‑year cycle after the brief scandal passes [3].
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