MUSCAT : The 2026 Winter Olympics curling tournament has sparked a huge controversy, prompting World Curling to immediately introduce rule updates amid repeated controversy over the “double tap” violation. The change was announced after the controversial Canada-Sweden men’s game, in which Sweden’s Oscar Eriksson accused Mark Kennedy of illegally touching a curling stone after his release.

Under the revised protocols, officials will control the delivery of stones only at the request of the team, rather than by default, to reduce in-game conflicts between teams and officials. The amendments will come into force during the Olympic Games on February 15 and emphasise that governing bodies will act quickly to ensure fair play while maintaining the spirit of the sport.

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