Olympic Sports
Two curling stones stolen ahead of Paralympics wheelchair curling debut; replacements ensure no disruption
Rapporté par l'IA Image générée par IA
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.