Canadian Curler Vows to Unleash 'Bulldog' After Cheating Row at Olympics
Canadian curler Marc Kennedy has pledged to refine his language following a heated confrontation with Swedish rival Oskar Eriksson, but he insists he will not hesitate to unleash his inner "bulldog" if his integrity is questioned again. The dramatic clash erupted during Canada's 8-6 victory on Friday, after Kennedy was repeatedly accused by Eriksson of double-touching his deliveries—a serious cheating allegation in the sport.
Furious Exchange and Aftermath
At one intense moment in the match, Kennedy lost his temper, shouting: "I haven't done it once. You can f*** off." The outburst drew immediate attention and led to a verbal warning from World Curling, which stated that further inappropriate behaviour could result in additional sanctions. Speaking after Canada's 9-5 defeat to Switzerland on Saturday, the 44-year-old athlete reflected on the incident with a mix of remorse and defiance.
"I'll be honest with you guys, my whole life, when my integrity has been questioned, sometimes that's the response I have," Kennedy said. "I can't think of once in my entire career where I've done something to gain a competitive advantage by cheating. And I take that very seriously. And it's been a really long career. So when you get called out, my instinct was to be a little bit of a bulldog."
Regret and Resolve
Kennedy expressed regret over his choice of words but stood firm in his defence of himself and his teammates. "I don't regret defending myself or my teammates in that moment. I just probably regret the language I used," he admitted. However, he doubled down on his stance, suggesting that Sweden had a premeditated strategy to catch opponents in the act of cheating at the Olympics.
"They (Sweden) have come up with a plan here at the Olympics, as far as I know, to catch teams in the act," Kennedy claimed. "It was planned right from the word go yesterday, from the words that were being said by their coaches and the way they were running to the officials. It was kind of evident that something was going on, and they were trying to catch us in an act. I know we're not the only team that they've done that to."
Broader Olympic Context
The controversy unfolded amid a mixed bag of results for other teams at the Winter Games. In the men's round robin, Bruce Mouat's British rink secured a 7-4 win over the Czech Republic, marking their third victory in four matches and placing them second in the standings. This success came as a rebound after Mouat's disappointment in the mixed event earlier in the week.
On the women's side, Sophie Jackson's team pulled off a stunning 7-6 upset against Canada, getting off the mark after two initial defeats. These results highlight the competitive and often unpredictable nature of Olympic curling, where tensions can run high and sportsmanship is constantly tested.
Kennedy's outburst and subsequent comments have sparked discussions about ethics and conduct in the sport, underscoring the fine line between fierce competition and unsportsmanlike behaviour. As the Olympics continue, all eyes will be on whether Kennedy can channel his "bulldog" instincts more diplomatically while maintaining his unwavering commitment to fair play.
