MAIN Sports Olympic Games Olympic Curling

Lost in the mysteries of time, curling history is always a good subject of debate between the Scots and continental Europeans, all of whom claim the sport as their own.

From medieval Scotland there is evidence that curling was played as early as the 16th century.

Examples of the sport can also be found around the same time in paintings like Hunters in the Snow, by Pieter Bruegel.

Eventually, curling caught on big throughout Europe and later was introduced to North America by Scottish immigrants. Today, Canada has more curlers than any other country.

Curling was a demonstration sport in the Olympics four times (1924, 1932, 1992, 1994) before being admitted as an official Olympic sport at Nagano in 1998.

In the 2006 Winter Olympic Turino games, the Italians compete in their very first Olympic curling competition at Pinerolo.

More about Olympic curling around the Web:

International Olympic Committee - Curling - Overview of the curling competitions, list of events, Olympic records, athlete profiles, picture gallery.

World Curling Federation - News, official rules and regulations, stats, records, scores, related glossary and links.

European Curling Federation - Nicely laid out guide to the game and official rules with news and updates on the European championships, related links and glossary.

Canadian Curling Association - News, television schedule, championship scores and updates, related glossary and dictionary, playing how-to's, links.

United States Olympic Committee - Curling - The latest news, team bios, curling tips, FAQ, photos.

also see in Winter Sports-> Curling

also in Winter Olympics -> Alpine Skiing | Biathlon | Bobsled

Cross-country Skiing | Curling | Figure Skating | Freestyle Skiing

Ice Hockey | Luge | Nordic Combined | Short-Track Skating

Skeleton | Ski Jumping | Speed Skating | Snowboard