Winter Olympics 2026 curling 'cheating' controversy explained: 'Boopgate' scandal latest updates
Boopgate has caused a stir. It's all kicking off in the curling...
Maybe the world needed to lose itself in curling skullduggery given the vigorous response to the 'Boopgate' scandal that has taken over the Winter Olympics 2026.
The world is a complex place to exist, forces we don't fully understand shape our daily lives and stories we can't comprehend dominate our headlines.
Perhaps it was for the best that Swedish curler Oskar Eriksson detonated the story of the Games so far with a passive aggressive snipe that sparked a billion hot takes from all corners of the globe, capturing our undivided attention.
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Eriksson accused Canadian stalwart Marc Kennedy of touching – or booping, if you will – his stone after releasing it beyond the hog line to which Kennedy retorted in furious fashion in a clip now plastered across the internet.
"I haven't done it once... You can f*** off," blasted Kennedy, to which Eriksson responded: "I'll show you a video after the game. I'll show you a video where it's two metres over the hog line." Kennedy replied: "Come on, Oskar. Just f*** off."
The double-touch debate has dominated the curling scene throughout the competition and Radio Times is on hand to break down what happened next, whether it is considered cheating and the latest news on the controversy.
Winter Olympics 2026 curling controversy explained
Did Canada cheat? That's the big question. World Curling released a statement on the incident:
"When delivering a stone, before the hog line players can retouch the handle as many times as they wish. However, touching the handle after the hog line is not allowed and will result in the stone being removed from play as per Rule R.5 (e) that states: “A stone must be clearly released from the hand before it reaches the hog line at the delivery end. If the player fails to do so, the stone is immediately removed from play by the delivering team.”
"During forward motion, touching the granite of the stone is not allowed. This will result in the stone being removed from play.
"As per rule R.5 (d) “The curling stone must be delivered using the handle of the stone.” Violation of this rule, will result in the stone being removed from play."
Others have pointed out rule R.9 (a) which states: "Between the tee line at the delivery end and the hog line at the playing end: If a moving stone is touched, or is caused to be touched, by the team to which it belongs, or by their equipment, the touched stone is removed from play immediately by that team. A double touch by the person delivering the stone, prior to the hog line at the delivering end, is not considered a violation."
Curling is a largely self-officiated sport, meaning players are responsible for upholding correct etiquette and showing mutual respect for the rules and each other.
Ultimately, Kennedy's prodding of the stone after release while the stone was crossing the hog line is in violation of the rules. By the letter of the law, it seems his stone should have been struck off.
However, the plot thickened with allegations of this practice being used for years by numerous teams. Many believe Kennedy's action may be a habitual tick as opposed to an act of intentional cheating given the slim-to-nil impact of a soft, swift prod on the stone.
Regardless of intent, officials were then drafted in to oversee further sessions of curling at the Games, with infringements spotted, resulting in penalties being applied.
Canadian women's skip Rachel Homan was penalised for lightly grazing her stone in a match against Switzerland. The stone was removed from play.
Team GB star Bobby Lammie was also handed a punishment for appearing to perform the same infraction. His stone was also scrapped from the record, though the Brits proceeded to defeat Germany.
The storm hasn't quite blown over yet, and with more curling matches to be played right the way through to the conclusion of the Games on Sunday 22nd February, you can be sure of more discourse around the issue in the days to come.
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Authors
Michael Potts is the Sport Editor for Radio Times, covering all of the biggest sporting events across the globe with previews, features, interviews and more. He has worked for Radio Times since 2019 and previously worked on the sport desk at Express.co.uk after starting his career writing features for What Culture. He achieved a first-class degree in Sports Journalism in 2014.
