Curling is one of the world's oldest team sports, with roots back in 16th century Scotland. Played with a 44-pound granite stone with four players per team carrying brooms on a narrow rink, curling made its Olympic debut in 1924 as a demonstration sport. It returned as a demonstration sport in 1932 and retained that status until 1992, according to the International Olympic Committee. It became a medal sport in 1998. At the Olympics, World Curling Federation rules are followed.
Olympic Qualification
The top points-earning teams from the three previous World Curling Championships qualify for the Olympics. According to the World Curling Federation's "Rules of Curling," the Olympic tournament accommodates 10 teams each for the men's and women's tournaments. Host countries always receive an automatic entry.
Olympic Tournament Play
The Olympics employs a round-robin field rounded out by a bracketed tournament. Each team plays the other teams once to complete the round-robin competition. At the end of play, the top four teams are ranked and slotted in a double-elimination tournament. The number one and four seeds play each other, while the second and third seeds face off. The winners of the semifinal meet in the championship game, with the victor earning the gold. The semifinal losers meet in the bronze-medal game.
Eligibility
The World Curling Federation defers to the International Olympic Committee's rules for athlete eligibility as outlined in article 41 of the Olympic Charter. It states that coaches, players and trainers must comply with the rules of the charter as well as the world governing body for the sport. The athlete must also "respect the spirit of fair play and nonviolence, and behave accordingly" and "respect and comply in all aspects with the World Anti-Doping Code."
Olympic Records
Canada has won the most men's medals in Olympic play. It has won a record four medals, including two gold medals and two silvers -- the most of each among any country. Canadian curler Kevin Martin holds the world record for Olympic victories. He has been part of 20 wins in Olympic play.
Canadian women also hold the record for most medals for the women's sport, with four. Sweden has won the most gold medals of any country, winning the 2006 and 2010 Olympic tournaments. Swiss curler Mirjam Ott's 22 wins top the individual women's record list.
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