The Sport of Curling – What is Curling?
Curling may be the "hottest sport on ice", since Americans discovered it during the winter Olympics. Curling is a team game, where all four members' efforts contribute directly to each shot. Depending on the event curling teams can be composed of both sexes and all ages, and like golf, sailing, etc., curling is a lifetime sport.
Where Did Curling Come From?
It is generally agreed that curling was developed in Scotland in the 18th century. Scottish farmers curled on the frozen marshes and lochs using "channel stones" which were naturally smoothed by water action. The rules, the equipment and the curlers have changed through the years but not the spirit of the game. The spirit of curling evolved in early times in Scotland as the spirit of honorable competition followed by egalitarian sociality. This spirit of the game demands good sportsmanship, fair conduct and competition on the ice, and hospitality and friendship after play.
Curling and the Olympics
Curling was approved as an Olympic medal sport in July 1992. The first official Olympic competition curling medals were presented at Nagano, Japan in 1998. Curling has been an Olympic demonstration sport four times: in 1924 at Chamonix, France; in 1932 at Lake Placid, New York; in 1988 at Calgary, Canada; and in 1992 at Albertville, France.
Go to the official website of the Olympics
