Olympic Sports
Two curling stones stolen ahead of Paralympics wheelchair curling debut; replacements ensure no disruption
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Two granite curling stones were stolen from Italy's Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium just before the wheelchair mixed doubles competition debuted at the 2026 Milano Cortina Paralympics. Discovered during a routine check around March 3-4, the theft prompted an investigation, but adjusted spare stones allowed events to proceed uninterrupted amid ongoing curling controversies.
Curling, a sport originating in 16th-century Scotland, will feature prominently in the 2026 Winter Olympics starting February 4 in Italy. Known as 'chess on ice,' it combines precision, strategy, and athleticism as teams slide heavy granite stones toward a target while sweeping the ice. Local clubs in the U.S. are offering crash courses to build excitement ahead of the competition.