The Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina have been plunged into controversy even before the official start, with a shocking theft of curling stones and lingering cheating allegations from the recent Winter Olympics. The sport, already reeling from a high-profile scandal last month, finds itself under intense scrutiny once more, this time on the Paralympic stage.
Theft of Paralympic Curling Stones
World Curling spokesperson Chris Hamilton confirmed via CBC that two curling stones have been stolen from the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. These stones were part of the mixed doubles set used during the Winter Olympics and were intended for the wheelchair mixed doubles event at the Paralympics. Authorities have launched an investigation into the theft, but it remains unclear how the 42-pound granite stones were taken from the venue.
Impact on Competition and Replacement Measures
Fortunately, the theft has not disrupted the mixed doubles competition, which began on Wednesday. The Milan-Cortina 2026 organizing committee swiftly sourced replacement stones in time for the matches. Spare stones from the mixed doubles set are now reportedly being used, having been brought to the same specifications as the rest of the set. The Winter Paralympics are set to officially commence with the Opening Ceremony on Friday, with the mixed doubles curling competition starting early to accommodate round-robin matches ahead of the gold medal match on March 11.
Echoes of Olympic Cheating Controversy
This latest scandal follows a contentious episode at the Winter Olympics, where Swedish star Oskar Eriksson accused Canadian curler Marc Kennedy of 'double-touching' his deliveries. Kennedy responded with an expletive-laden rant, earning him an official warning from World Curling for inappropriate language. The 44-year-old Canadian furiously told Eriksson to 'f*** off' during a heated exchange on the ice.
Aftermath and Accusations
Several other accusations of double-touching emerged after Kennedy's outburst, and Canada lost its next match against Switzerland before recovering to advance. In response, curling officials initially stationed umpires at the hog line to monitor for fouls but later reverted to the traditional practice of players policing themselves. Kennedy argued that he was set up by the Swedish team, claiming they had concocted a plan to catch him in the act. He and Canadian coach Paul Webster accused Sweden of installing cameras to catch them cheating, alleging it was a premeditated strategy.
Sweden countered by stating they had raised concerns about Canada's alleged cheating for seven or eight years, adding another layer to the ongoing dispute. As the Paralympics unfold, these controversies highlight the intense pressures and rivalries in elite curling, casting a shadow over what should be a celebration of athletic excellence.
