Team USA's Korey Dropkin says Olympic curling "double-touching" scandal "bigger than it needs to be"

February 18, 2026

TL;DR

Korey Dropkin, a U.S. silver medalist in mixed doubles curling, called the "double-touching" controversy "bigger than it needs to be."
Dropkin defended his fellow curlers, stating that the incident does not equate to cheating and that many athletes have committed similar minor infractions.
A controversy arose when Sweden accused Canada's Marc Kennedy of "double-touching" a granite rock during a match.
Olympic officials added arbitrators but do not use video replays for game decisions.
World Curling clarified that touching the granite part of the stones is not allowed and results in the stone being removed from play.
Other curlers, like Swiss Alina Paetz, also described the incident as a minor infraction and an overreaction.
Dropkin expressed admiration for veteran curlers like Kennedy and believes it is wrong to portray them as cheaters.

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