CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) – A significant incident has disrupted the wheelchair curling event at the Milan Cortina Paralympics, as two stones intended for the competition were reported stolen.
The theft occurred just days before the opening ceremony of the Paralympics, which is scheduled for Friday, although the wheelchair curling matches commenced earlier on Wednesday.
Investigation Underway
World Curling confirmed that local authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the theft of the granite stones from the Curling Olympic Stadium.
In response to the incident, World Curling stated that replacement stones, which meet the same specifications as the original set, are being utilized, ensuring that the competition remains unaffected.
Recent Controversies in Curling
This incident follows a recent scandal in the sport during the Winter Olympics, where the Canadian team faced accusations of cheating. The sport, typically less prominent outside of the Olympics, has found itself under scrutiny.
During the round-robin phase in Cortina, Swedish player Oskar Eriksson accused Canadian vice skip Marc Kennedy of violating rules regarding stone handling. Kennedy’s response was marked by a heated exchange, but the Canadian team was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing and secured their first gold medal in men’s curling since the 2014 Sochi Games.
The Canadian women’s team also faced similar allegations regarding the same double-touch violation, adding to the tension surrounding the sport.