1. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games were held February 12th to the 28th in Vancouver, British Columbia. Typically figure skating, skiing, and hockey take the spotlight during the winter Olympics, but the winter Olympics have other events that can be just as exciting. One of these events is an obscure sport called curling. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the reader to the history of Olympic curling, and the origins and rules of the sport. First, this paper will briefly discuss Olympic history. Next, this paper will discuss the history and controversies of Olympic curling. Lastly, this paper will discuss the origins and rules of curling. How did the Olympic Games begin?
2. According to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) webpage, the first ancient Olympic Games can be traced back to 776 BC, and were dedicated to the Greek gods. The games continued for 12 centuries until the Romans, after conversion to Christianity, banned pagan ceremonies. The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 in Athens, Greece and attracted athletes from 14 nations. In comparison, the 2010 Olympic Winter Games attracted athletes from 83 nations. The first Winter Games were held in 1924 in Chamonix, France. Olympic Games were held every four years since 1896, unless prevented because of world events. Examples of world events disrupting the Games’ schedule are those that were scheduled between 1936 and 1948 because of World War II. In 1986, the IOC changed the schedule of the Games so that the Winter Games occurred on the even years between the Summer Games. The new schedule took effect starting with the 1992 Games (IOC).
3. According to the World Curling Federation (WCF) website, curling was introduced in the first Winter Games. Curling appeared in the Winter Games again in 1932, 1988, and 1992 but only as a demonstration sport. In 1992, the IOC made curling an Olympic sport to start effective with the 2002 Winter Games, with an option to start in the 1998 Winter Games. In 1993, the organizing committee for the Nagano Olympic Winter Games agreed to include curling into the event scheduled for the 1998 Winter Games. Since curling was not accepted by the IOC as a medal event until the 1998 Games, the events that took place in 1924, 1932, 1988, and 1992 did not earn medals. This changed in 2006 when the IOC declared that the curling event in the 1924 Games was an official Olympic event, and retroactively awarded Great Britain the gold, Sweden the silver, and France the Bronze. The curling events in 1932, 1988, and 1992 remain categorized as a demonstration and therefore did not qualify for medals. Today, curling is gaining popularity especially with the television time and news coverage devoted to the Games.
4. According to the United States Curling Association (USCA) website, curling was first documented in Scotland during the 1500’s. The game originated by skipping stones over frozen ponds as a way to pass the time (WCF). The Scottish people further developed the game, and by the early 1800’s the rules were formalized and in 1838 a governing body was established (WCF and USCA). In the late 1800’s curling was thriving in the cold northern states of the United States (USCA). In 2006, the US Olympic curling team won the Bronze medal, marking the first time a US team won a medal in the curling event. Curling has evolved from skipping stones over a pond to an official Olympic sport with a set of definite rules.
5. The WCF’s mission statement says that the Federation “represents curling internationally and facilitates the growth of the sport through a network of Member Associations/Federations.” The WCF is the governing body of the Olympic Winter Sport of Curling organization (WCF), and posts the rules of curling on its website. The following information is derived from The Olympic Winter Sport, the Rules of Curling and Rules of Competition posted on the WCF page. Equipment needed for curling consists of the stone (or rock), broom, and shoes. The rock is a piece of granite that weighs 38 to 44 pounds. The rock is round, with a circumference of no greater than 36 inches and height not less than 4.5 inches. Attached to the rock is a handle that the player holds when the stone is thrown, or delivered. The stones are delivered on a sheet of ice from one side to the other. Targets and lines are painted or inlayed on the ice. Two 4-man teams compete against each other; the goal of the game is to get the rocks closest to the center of the target. The players use brooms after the rock is delivered to sweep the ice in order to move debris out of the path of the rock. The captain of the team, called the skip, stands behind the target and directs the team on how to move the rocks to the target. The game periods are called ends. Each team delivers 8 rocks per end. The end is over after the last rock is delivered and scored. Each game lasts either 8 or 10 ends, but a minimum of 6 ends must be played to finish the game. After 6 ends, a team may concede the game. Curling is different in this aspect from other sports, because the losing team is encouraged to concede the game when it is impossible to win. In the event of a tie, an extra end is played until a team wins. The shoes are special shoes made specifically for curling. The shoes should grip the ice well. Teflon covers are sometimes put over the soles of the shoes to allow the players to slide across the ice. Remember “the spirit of curling demands good sportsmanship, kindly feeling and honourable conduct.” (Rules of Curling, 2008).
6. As you have read, curling is an old sport with unique customs and traditions that is relatively new to the winter Olympics. First, this paper briefly discussed Olympic history. Then, this paper discussed the history and controversies of Olympic curling. Last, this paper discussed the origins and rules of curling. Hopefully, this paper piqued your interest curling. Now you have been introduced to the origins and rules of the sport in the chance you see it on TV or in person.