Table of Contents
Two curling stones reported stolen ahead of Paralympic wheelchair events in Cortina
Organizers in Cortina reported the theft of two competition curling stones from the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. Officials said the stones came from the mixed doubles set used during the Olympics and were due to be used in the wheelchair mixed doubles event.
The incident occurred in the days before the wheelchair curling competitions. The wheelchair mixed doubles are scheduled to begin Wednesday evening, and the four-person wheelchair tournament is due to start on Saturday. The Paralympic opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Mar. 6, and the mixed doubles event concludes on Mar. 11.
Organizers said an investigation is under way and that replacements have been sourced. They added they do not expect the theft to disrupt the competition schedule.
What happened and who confirmed it
World Curling spokesperson Chris Hamilton confirmed by email that two competition stones were removed from the venue. Authorities have been notified and are investigating the circumstances of the removal. Each stone weighs roughly 42 pounds, which raises practical questions about how the items were transported and the security measures in place at a major international sports venue.
Immediate steps taken by organizers
The Milano Cortina 2026 organizing committee said replacement stones were sourced promptly so play could continue. Spare mixed doubles stones were adjusted to match the originals’ specifications and are now in use. Organizers stated the competition timetable will not be affected. From the athlete’s perspective, officials emphasised that maintaining equipment parity was the priority while investigators work to recover the missing stones.
Communication with teams
Teams competing in the Paralympic mixed doubles were briefed in Cortina the day before the public announcement. Organizers held a team meeting to explain the theft and outline next steps. The four-person teams received a separate briefing shortly after. Officials said they aimed for transparency to reduce uncertainty and to reassure athletes that the equipment in play meets competition standards. From the athlete’s perspective, maintaining parity across teams remained the stated priority while investigators seek to recover the missing stones.
Context about the equipment and previous use
Both the Paralympic and Olympic events use two distinct sets of competition rocks, each owned by World Curling. The mixed doubles stones removed from the venue had not been used in competition before the Olympic Games. By contrast, the four-person set had been used once prior to the Games during the world junior curling championships in Cortina last April. Officials noted that the differing histories of the two sets informed their decisions on replacement and verification procedures.
Why the stones matter
Officials said the two sets of stones had different usage histories, and that assessment shaped verification steps. Curling performance depends on uniform equipment. The stone’s weight, running band and surface condition all affect stone trajectory and speed. Organizers reported that spare stones were calibrated to match the originals. This measure aims to preserve competitive fairness and the integrity of the Paralympic curling competition.
Schedule implications and next steps
The wheelchair mixed doubles curling competition begins Wednesday evening in Cortina and is scheduled to finish on Mar. 11. The four-person wheelchair curling event starts on Saturday. Organizers confirmed replacement stones are now in use. They said there will be no change to event dates or the published tournament schedule. Law enforcement continues to investigate how two granite competition stones were removed from a secured arena.
Security and future precautions
Law enforcement continues to investigate how two granite competition stones were removed from a secured arena. The theft exposes vulnerabilities at major international venues and raises questions about equipment control.
Organizers and World Curling are expected to review access protocols, storage arrangements and inventory procedures to reduce the risk of similar incidents. Officials have not disclosed suspects or motives, citing the ongoing investigation.
Event managers may increase surveillance, tighten credentialing and implement more frequent equipment audits. Such measures aim to limit opportunities for unauthorized removal and speed detection when items go missing.
Closing perspective
The disappearance of two 42-pound stones is an uncommon pre-Games disruption. Rapid sourcing of replacements and confirmation that competition will proceed are intended to reassure athletes and spectators.
With the Paralympic opening ceremony scheduled for Friday, Mar. 6, focus returns to the events while authorities continue their inquiries into the theft. Any policy or procedural changes by organizers will be watched for their implications on future international competitions.
Small gear, big consequences
The incident underscores how minor equipment can shape outcomes at elite events. For athletes and support staff, a single missing tool can disrupt training cycles and competition-day routines.
Organizers now face pressure to tighten custody and transport rules for critical items. Security reviews and revised protocols are likely to focus on chain-of-custody, inventory controls and access restrictions around competition areas.
From the athlete perspective, attention remains on preparation and performance as wheelchair curling continues in Cortina. Match readiness depends on predictable conditions and reliable equipment, both on and off the ice.