CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — It was a moment of pure joy for Marc Kennedy. After facing serious cheating accusations, he celebrated with his teammates. They had just clinched Olympic gold, defeating Britain at the Milan-Cortina Games.
“It means everything to see our team with medals,” Kennedy shared. “What we went through together this week is hard to explain.”
Brad Jacobs’ team triumphed 9-6 against Bruce Mouat’s Scottish squad. This win followed intense pressure and scrutiny. “When people hurled accusations at us, it only fueled our determination,” Jacobs said.
During the round-robin, Swedish player Oskar Eriksson accused Kennedy of double-touching the curling stone—a serious rule violation. This prompted Kennedy to express his frustration, sparking controversy on the ice.
“I let my emotions take over,” he admitted. “I stood up for my teammates. We pushed through, and I’m proud of what we accomplished.” This was Canada’s first gold in men’s curling since the 2014 Sochi Games, where Jacobs also led the team. “For anyone who doubted us, I hope they remember our victory,” Jacobs added.
With the women’s team earning a bronze earlier, Canada secured its seventh gold and 14th overall medal in Olympic curling, a record in the sport. Kennedy, who was part of the gold-winning team in Vancouver in 2010, showed remarkable resilience at 44 years old. Teammate Tyler Tardi praised Kennedy as a “beast” for his achievements.
Interestingly, the British men’s team has not won Olympic gold since the first Winter Games in 1924. In this match, Canada showcased strategic skills, sealing their win by scoring three points in the ninth end.
The accusations didn’t stop there. Following Kennedy’s outburst, more claims of double-touching arose, prompting concerns over the sport’s rules. After Canada lost to Switzerland, curling officials initially assigned umpires to monitor fouls but later returned to the traditional player-led enforcement. Jacobs suggested that the World Curling Federation needs to reassess these rules, stating, “They weren’t prepared for the controversy this time.”
On the women’s side, Rachel Homan’s team faced ups and downs before winning bronze against the United States with a score of 10-7, denying the U.S. their first medal in Olympic curling. “I’m proud of our fight,” Homan reflected. “We never gave up.” Sweden will compete against Switzerland for the gold.
As curling continues to evolve, the recent events highlight not just the sport’s competitive spirit but also the importance of fair play and the need for clear rules. For more Olympic coverage, visit the AP Olympics site: AP Olympics.
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Curling, Bruce Mouat, Marc Kennedy, Brad Jacobs, Olympic games, 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games, Canada, 2026 Winter Olympics, Winter Olympic games, Sports, Canada Olympic Team, Oskar Eriksson, Ben Hebert, Brett Gallant, Tyler Tardi, Rachel Homan
