Controversy has erupted in the curling at the Winter Olympics, with Great Britain dragged into the explosive fallout following cheating accusations against the Canadian team.
On Friday, Canada’s men’s side were accused by Sweden of breaking the rules by repeatedly double-touching the curling stone after release, leading to swear words being exchanged on the ice.
After Canada denied the claims – the team’s third, Marc Kennedy, responded by furiously insisting: “I haven’t done it once. You can f*** off” – footage of Kennedy clearing touching the stone after release went viral.
Canada’s Marc Kennedy furiously denied accusations that he was ‘double touching’ the granite of the stone (AP)
The drama escalated over the weekend when Canada’s women’s team were penalised for the same infringement in the first end of their match against Switzerland, as stunned skip Rachel Homan protested her innocence.
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Then, amid increased surveillance from the umpires, Team GB’s Bobby Lammie was also flagged for a double touch in the penultimate end of their 9-4 win over Germany on Sunday.
World champions Great Britain play Canada, a renowned curling heavyweight, in a crunch match on Tuesday as the round-robin reaches its business end, with this controversy still very much in the spotlight in Cortina.
What is a double touch and what are the rules?
Following the controversy during the Canada-Sweden match, World Curling issued a reminder to the competing teams, clarifying the rules of “proper release” when delivering the stone.
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World Curling said: “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.
“During forward motion, touching the granite of the stone is not allowed. This will result in the stone being removed from play. Violation of this rule, will result in the stone being removed from play.”
(AFP via Getty Images)
Canada’s men’s team firmly denied the accusation of cheating, even as the footage of Kennedy touching the stone with a lingering finger on the hog line after release went viral on social media.
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“If somebody said to you, ‘Hey, do you double-touch all the time?’ I honestly, in that split second of a moment, I couldn’t even tell you if I do or not,” Kennedy said.
Per the rules, giving the granite of the stone a deliberate prod after its release to correct its course would be cheating – but the fact you can retouch the handle before the hog line means there is some nuance.
Canada’s women’s team said they had been swept up in the accusations, following the heated exchange involving the men’s team on Friday and the online storm it created.
Homan said: “I think the word cheating came out of nowhere. It has nothing to do with cheating. There’s no chance that Canadians would ever intentionally cheat.”
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“It obviously was like a heated moment between two players that blew it up. We had nothing to do with that,” said Canada’s second Emma Miskew. “So we felt like we were brought into a situation that we had no part in.”
Increased officiating — then a climbdown
World Curling does not have a VAR-style video replay system to re-umpire game decisions, while decisions made during a game are final and cannot be overturned.
After the controversy, World Curling did release a statement informing teams that, while it was “not possible” to have game umpires stationed at each hog line, two officials would move between all four sheets and observe some deliveries.
It resulted in uproar, however, with athletes and teams furious at how their deliveries were being overly scrutinised, at a level never before seen at a major international tournament.
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Teams were angered by the level of officiating following the explosive Sweden-Canada match (REUTERS)
That likely explains why Canada’s women’s team and Great Britain’s men were so quickly flagged following Friday’s controversy. It was also unclear if officials were watching some nations more closely than others.
So, World Curling reversed its decision to increase officiating following a meeting with the competing national organisations. Instead, teams could request that an umpire observes the other team, for a minimum of three ends.
Were Sweden spying? And what happens next?
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One of the mysteries of the whole saga is how Sweden were so convinced that Canada were guilty of a “double touch”. During the heated exchange between the teams, Oskar Eriksson also told his Canadian opponents: “I’ll show you the video after.”
The video appearing to show a clear double-touch by Kennedy then circulated on social media, with it emerging from Swedish public broadcaster SVT, leading Kennedy to claim the whole controversy was “premeditated” by the Sweden team.
Sweden are now facing accusations of secretly spying on their opponents (REUTERS)
“They’ve come up with a plan to catch teams in the act,” Kennedy said, which adds another layer. Were Sweden secretly filming their opponents?
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After beating Sweden 8-6 on Friday, Canada lost to Switzerland 9-5 in their only game on Saturday before rebounding with a 6-3 victory over China and a 8-2 thrashing of Czech Republic
On Tuesday, Canada will play Great Britain in a match that could determine which nation goes through to the semi-finals and keeps their medal hopes alive, after world champions Team GB suffered a shock defeat to Norway.
Bruce Mouat’s side have now lost three matches and they will likely have to beat Canada. Meanwhile, this fierce fury on ice is not cooling down.
GB’s Kirsty Muir finishes fourth for the second time at the 2026 Winter Olympics after scoring an incredible 93 points on her second run, before falling on her third.
The 11th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon took place on Saturday, February 8, 2026, bringing thousands of runners and spectators onto the streets of Lagos.
In the men’s race, Ezra Kipchumba Kering of Kenya claimed victory in the 42km event with a winning time of 2:11:55. The women’s race was won by Dinke Meleka of Ethiopia, who crossed the line in 2:37:36.
The Lagos City Marathon is an annual long distance road race organised to promote athletics, healthy living, and sports tourism in Nigeria. It is recognised by World Athletics, allowing elite runners to earn international ranking points.
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The race starts at the National Stadium in Surulere and finishes at Eko Atlantic City, passing through major parts of Lagos. Alongside the 42km race, the event also has a 10km fun run, which allows non-professional runners to take part.
Since its launch, the marathon has grown into one of Africa’s leading road races, attracting international athletes while giving Nigerian runners the chance to compete on a global stage.
Unimpressive efforts in a recent track session by a fellow stable inmate will direct Ole Dancer towards the fillies’ Stakes at Flemington.
Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman’s Sheza Alibi had lined up for her autumn debut in the Listed Desirable Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, leaving Ole Dancer to challenge seasoned mares in the Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m).
Tuesday’s lacklustre gallop from Sheza Alibi resulted in the team opting to interchange the runners.
Moody views the Desirable Stakes as the less demanding race for Ole Dancer, matching her with contemporaries.
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“She’s not wound up or screwed down as we’re mindful of not wanting her to have a gut-buster 14 days before the Surround, which is a Group 1, and ultimately, we want to be going around two or three runs after that,” Moody said.
“Class will take her a long way, unless one of the other fillies really jumps out of the ground, so I would suggest it would be hard to see her getting beat.”
She holds three wins from five starts, her unplaced runs chalked up to tough barriers by Moody.
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Some improved luck could see her unblemished, treading a trail akin to distant kin Black Caviar, honoree of Saturday’s marquee Black Caviar Lightning.
Ole Kirk, Ole Dancer’s sire, descends from a sibling of Black Caviar.
“The times she got beat she had bad barriers, so we rode her stone cold and she ran home super,” Moody said of Ole Dancer.
“We’ve probably got to ride her cold on Saturday, seven of seven, and the filly of Danny O’Brien’s (Sass Appeal) probably leads and controls the tempo and is probably the one we have to beat.
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“It’s not going to be an easy task, but it will be a nice gallop for her, the track looks enormous and the rain we had on Wednesday is the best thing that has happened to every track in Victoria.
“All being well, this will lead us to the Surround in a couple of weeks.”
Visit online bookmakers to find betting markets for the race in the Desirable Stakes.
NEW DELHI: Opener Pathum Nissanka turned a challenging chase into a masterclass on Monday, smashing a blistering 100 not out off 52 balls to guide Sri Lanka to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Australia at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.The win not only secured Sri Lanka’s spot in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup but also left Australia’s qualification hopes hanging by a thread. Australia will be eliminated if Zimbabwe beat Ireland on Tuesday.
Suryakumar Yadav press conference: How SKY trolled India-Pakistan rivalry
Chasing a target of 182, Sri Lanka’s innings was anchored by Nissanka, who struck 10 fours and five sixes, and Kusal Mendis, who contributed a fluent 51 off 38 balls. The pair stitched together a 97-run partnership for the second wicket, keeping Sri Lanka comfortably ahead. Pavan Rathnayake added a quick 28 off 15 balls as the hosts raced to 184/2 in just 18 overs, maintaining a commanding run rate throughout.Australia, sent in to bat, got off to a flying start with Mitchell Marsh (54 off 27) and Travis Head (56 off 29) adding 104 runs in less than nine overs. Their power-hitting set Australia up for a total beyond 200, with boundaries and sixes flowing freely.However, Sri Lanka clawed their way back in the latter half of the innings. Leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha emerged as the standout bowler with figures of 3/37 in four overs, while Dushmantha Chameera and Dunith Wellalage picked up crucial wickets. Australia collapsed from 104/0 to 130/4 and eventually folded for 181. Pathum Nissanka also redeemed himself in the field, taking a brilliant diving catch to dismiss Glenn Maxwell.Sri Lanka suffered an early setback when Kusal Perera was caught at deep backward point, but Nissanka and Mendis ensured the chase remained under control. Even after Mendis’s dismissal by Marcus Stoinis, there was no stopping Nissanka, who carried the team over the line with 12 balls to spare.The result marks a dramatic turnaround for Sri Lanka, while Australia, who had earlier been humbled by Zimbabwe, now face a precarious path to the Super Eight. The hosts’ combination of explosive batting and clinical bowling proved too much for the Australians, highlighting Sri Lanka’s momentum and Australia’s vulnerability in the tournament.
Basketball players are some of the highest NIL earners in college sports. Their impressive earnings lessen the need to declare for the NBA draft after the freshman year.
With March Madness around the corner, let’s look at the five highest-earning men’s college basketball athletes.
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Top 5 men’s college basketball athletes with highest NIL valuation
5. Donovan Dent, Guard, UCLA Bruins – $2 million
Donovan Dent made the move from New Mexico to UCLA during the offseason. The flamboyant guard averaged 20.4 points per game as a junior last season.
According to Fox Sports, Dent received a $3 million NIL deal to transfer to UCLA in March. He received $2 million of that deal up front, while he’ll earn $1 million during the ongoing 2025-26 season. He currently averages 13.5 points per game with the Bruins.
4. Boogie Fland, Guard, Florida Gators – $2.1 million
Boogie Fland initially declared for the 2025 NBA draft. However, the former Arkansas star removed his name from consideration and decided to take his talent to Florida.
According to Fox Sports, Fland’s move to Florida was sweetened by an NIL package worth $2.1 million. He currently averages 11.3 points per game and is looking to improve his stock ahead of the 2026 draft.
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3. Yaxel Lendeborg, Forward, Michigan Wolverines – $2.3 million
Yaxel Lendeborg was initially set to enter the 2025 NBA draft. However, the versatile forward removed his name from consideration in late May.
According to CBS, Lendeborg’s NIL package from Michigan is valued at $2-3 million. He is averaging 14.4 points in the 2025-26 season.
2. JT Toppin, Forward, Texas Tech Red Raiders – $2.8 million
JT Toppin was the star of the show as the Texas Tech Red Raiders reached the Elite Eight in the 2024-25 season. He scored 18.2 points per game and was the school’s go-to bucket getter in high-stakes situations.
The Red Raiders made Toppin one of the highest earners in collegiate sports to ensure he sticks around for the 2025-26 season. He’s currently averaging 21.9 points as Texas Tech looks to make a deeper postseason run.
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1. AJ Dybantsa, Forward – BYU Cougars – $4.4 million
AJ Dybantsa got paid a major bag to start his collegiate basketball career at BYU. According to On3 Sports, Dybantsa is valued at $4.4 million.
The skillful forward reportedly has sponsorship deals with Red Bull and Nike. He’s living up to expectations on the court with 24.4 points per game, and he’ll likely go one-and-done at the end of the 2025-26 season.
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Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, or Kim Mulkey – who is NCAAW’s highest-paid coach? Find out here
On that occasion, he was outpointed by Oleksandr Usyk for the second time in eight months, and he will bid to bounce back against Russia’s Makhmudov – 15 months after announcing his fifth retirement.
Ahead of his clash with Makhmudov, Fury spoke to The Independent and other publications in Tottenham, going into heavy detail about his upcoming opponent.
“I wouldn’t like to get in a wrestling match with the f***er,” said Fury, 37, referring to an occasion when Makhmudov, 36, wrestled a bear.
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“I met him in 2017 at the Billy Joe Saunders fight with David Lemieux. I met him there, he was just a whipper-snapper then – just a kid coming up, dreaming of fighting the heavyweight champion of the world. Now he has the opportunity of making dreams come true, making him very rich. Now he can go and do all the things he wants to do in his life.
“One hundred per cent, it’s destiny. Listen, everything has a plan in life, and he was always destined to get this shot and change his life and become very wealthy and be in a good position with himself.
Tyson Fury (left) take on Arslanbek Makhmudov in April (PA Wire)
“I thought he’s a good opponent, he’s a dangerous opponent. If they’d have said I was going to fight some random person no one’s heard of, then that wouldn’t have turned me on, so I wouldn’t have even been interested. But considering I’ve got a No 5-ranked WBA heavyweight, who’s known to the British public because he just had a good fight with Dave Allen… and he wrestles bears for fun, and he’s as big as me, and as ugly as me, and the fact that he’s got 21 knockouts out of 22 fights, [it] makes him a very worthy adversary.
“It makes me want to train good and want to have a good camp, because if I don’t, then I could be one of those 16 first-round knockouts that he’s got, and a highlight-reel meme on his career. And I don’t want that, so I have to respect the fact that he’s a top boxer, he’s had over 100 amateur fights for Russia, and he’s a very experienced fighter.”
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Still, Fury said: “What do I do? Do what I always do. Box his head right off him.”
Makhmudov will enter the contest on the back of a points win over Allen in October. The Russian, 36, has a pro record of 21-2 (19 KOs), having lost to Agit Kabayel and Guido Vianello since 2023. Meanwhile, Fury’s record stands at 34-2-1 (24 KOs). He is a former two-time world heavyweight champion.
Tyreek Hill is poised to be one of the most well-known names on the free-agent market in March as the Miami Dolphins plan to release the wide receiver, according to multiple reports.
The star wide receiver was among the players who don’t appear to fit the organization’s roster plans for the 2026 season. Miami is also reportedly set to release star pass rusher Bradley Chubb, offensive lineman James Daniels and wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) leaves the field after losing to the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 7, 2025.(Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
Hill, who will turn 32 on March 1, is recovering from a season-ending injury he suffered on Sept. 29 against the New York Jets. He needed surgery to repair significant damage to his left knee, including a torn ACL.
Miami acquired Hill in a blockbuster trade with the Kansas City Chiefs before the start of the 2022 season. He signed a four-year extension reportedly worth up to $120 million. It made him the highest-paid player at his position at the time. The deal, which ran through the 2026 season, would have been a $51 million cap hit.
Hill was a standout player on the field despite rocky moments off the field.
He was an All-Pro in his first two seasons with the Dolphins. He played in 54 games and had 340 catches for 4,733 yards and 27 touchdowns. He didn’t have the same postseason success as he had with the Chiefs.
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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) scores a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium on Sept. 18, 2025.(Gregory Fisher/Imagn Images)
Off the field, Hill’s personal life drama caught headlines. He was also detained in an altercation with law enforcement outside Hard Rock Stadium in 2024.
He said in October he was undecided on whether he wanted to keep playing beyond the 2025 season.
“At the end of the day, I feel like that decision is based upon how I feel and where my mindset is at the moment,” he said on the podcast of Terron Armstead, Hill’s former Dolphins teammate. “I’m happy with the career that I’ve had. I love playing football. I love it, but it takes a lot. It takes a lot on you mentally, it takes a lot on you physically.
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“I’m at the point now where I need to have a conversation with mom, family, everybody. Wherever my mind is at the time, the decision will be made, but I know right now, I haven’t had time to live in the moment.”
Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill looks toward the field on the sideline before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sept. 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida.(Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo)
Miami’s front office underwent a change in the offseason. The team parted ways with Mike McDaniel and hired Jeff Hafley as its head coach. Jon-Eric Sullivan also replaced Chris Grier as the general manager.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
Jan 11, 2026; Lecanto, Florida, United States; Anthony Kim reacts to his third place in the LIV Golf Black Diamond Ranch golf tournament at Black Diamond Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-Imagn Images
Anthony Kim soared from 847th to 203rd in the Official World Golf Ranking released on Monday following his first tournament win since 2010.
The LIV Golf Adelaide champion still has a lot of work left to do but is back in the conversation for the Masters and other majors following a 12-year absence from the sport for injury and addiction recovery.
Kim, 40, has not competed in a grand slam event since he missed the cut at the 2011 PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Ga.
The OWGR began awarding world ranking points to the top-10 finishers in LIV Golf events this season. Kim tied for 22nd at the season-opening event in Riyadh earlier this month before breaking through in Australia, where his final score of 23-under was three shots clear of Spain’s Jon Rahm.
At No. 203, Kim would still need to climb another 153 spots to make the top 50 in the OWGR in time to secure an automatic invitation to the Masters (April 9-12). There are only three LIV Golf events between now and then: Hong Kong (March 5-8), Singapore (March 12-15) and South Africa (March 19-22).
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As for the May 14-17 PGA Championship at Aronimink, players ranked within the top 100 of the OWGR typically get invitations.
The world ranking is not the only pathway for Kim to qualify for the U.S. Open or The Open Championship.
Last year, the USGA announced a special exemption for the U.S. Open for LIV players. For the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills from June 18-21, “the top player who is not otherwise exempt and in the top 3 of the 2026 LIV Golf Individual Standings as of May 18, 2026” will get in.
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The R&A also has an LIV-tailored exemption for the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale from July 16-19. One spot will be awarded to “the first player and anyone tying for that place, not otherwise exempt, in the 2026 LIV Golf Individual Season Standings on completion of LIV Golf Louisiana (June 25-28).”
Kim currently sits second in the LIV individual standings behind Rahm.
