The U.S. men's curling team suffered two losses to China and Italy in round-robin play on Tuesday, hurting their hopes for a semifinal spot.

Team Peterson can still clinch a semifinals spot with a victory over Switzerland or a Great Britain loss to Italy.

Curling, yes curling, was delayed Thursday by bad weather conditions in Cortina, Italy. Heavy snow has repeatedly pushed back a number of Winter Olympic events this week — not an uncommon byproduct of holding outdoor sporting events during the winter.

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO (AP) — Niklas Edin saw it coming. Last May, the soon-to-be curler for Team Sweden at the Milan Cortina Olympic Games was incensed. He kept witnessing the same rule infraction — called double-touching — in international curling competitions,

As the women’s Olympic fours curling competition grinds to its round robin conclusion, Anna Hasselborg and Team Sweden are relaxing in the Cortina countryside with a bye during the final draw, holding a 7-2 won/loss record. They are assured of first place based on their head-to-head win over Switzerland.

There’s still a path ahead for Team Casper. The men’s curling team suffered a tough loss against Great Britain in their final round-robin match on Wednesday. Team USA conceded after the sixth end with GB leading 9-2.

Curling also carries major stakes as Team Jacobs has locked in second place and will play the semifinal at 1:35 p.m. ET. If Team Homan wins over South Korea (starting at 8:30 a.m. ET), the Canadian women head to the semis.

If confronted in the heat of competition, an athlete may genuinely believe no violation occurred. Add identity to the equation – “I am a clean competitor” – and denial becomes a psychological defence rather than deception. Under Olympic pressure, the nervous system prioritizes protection over reflection.