World Curling scrapped on-ice umpires at the 2026 Olympics after athlete backlash over surveillance and fairness concerns.

World Curling reversed its decision to deploy on-ice umpires at the 2026 Winter Olympics after athletes and national federations voiced concerns over excessive surveillance. The move followed a controversy involving a double-touch allegation, leading to two stone removals. Players, including Canada’s Rachel Homan and Emma Miskew, argued that such infractions are often accidental and that the sport’s tradition of self-officiating and mutual respect should be preserved. Umpires were withdrawn and made available only on request, restoring the game’s traditional approach amid pressure to maintain its spirit.