Here we go again for the Winter Olympics. This 2026 edition, organized in Milan-Cortina, has not yet officially started as some events have already started. And among the first to appear on our screens, curling is faithful to the post. A sport apart, almost timeless, which intrigues as much as it entertains.
A slippery stone…and time slows down
As a reminder, curling consists of sliding a heavy granite stone across the ice in order to place it as close as possible to the center of a circular target, using brooms that look strikingly… like mops. Seen from a distance, the action is slow, subdued, almost contemplative. When it comes to adrenaline, we’ve had more explosive experiences. Nothing to really get excited about behind your screen.
In France, the discipline remains ultra-confidential, with fewer than 500 licensees. Conversely, Canada claims nearly half a million regular practitioners. And yet, at every Olympics, curling is there, broadcast alongside speed skating or bobsleigh. Proof that there is indeed an audience. But which one?
A kitsch sport mocked… wrongly?
“It’s true that curling is often made fun of”smiles Amélie Boukhobza, consulted psychologist. “Brooms, stones that move slowly, ultra-concentrated players for what seems, on the surface, not much”.
In appearance only. Because behind this slowness lies a formidable discipline. “Everything is calculated: the trajectory, the speed, the angle, the pressure of the sweep. Nothing is left to chance. You don’t win in curling by force, but by precision.”
It is therefore no coincidence that curling appeals to very specific profiles. “This speaks to people who like to think before acting, to anticipate, to adjust, to correct. People for whom mastery takes precedence over demonstration“.
A passion for strategy and mentality
Because curling is above all a sport of the mind, more than of muscles. “It’s pure strategy”explains the psychologist. “We build several moves in advance at once, a bit like chess. But here, we play as a team. We accept not to shine alone. We win together, or not at all.”
This collective dimension is essential. Curling promotes calm, patience, and the ability to contain one’s emotions. “Losing your temper is costly. Curling fans often love sports where intelligence takes precedence over individual achievement, where emotional control is a strength.”
An ancient sport in a busy world
There is also something deeply archaic about curling. Born in Scotland in the 16th century, it was originally practiced outdoors, on frozen areas, when time seemed to stand still. “It’s not a spectacular performance sport,” underlines Amélie Boukhobza. “It’s a sport of transmission, of cultural heritage, almost ritualized.”
In an age of constant zapping and ultra-fast content, curling sets a different pace. “Watching a curling match means accepting the slowness, the waiting, the duration. And for some, that’s precisely what feels good”.
Loving curling, or the art of taking on the margin
Finally, loving curling also means loving a sport that is not unanimously appreciated. “It’s not a “cool” sport in the trendy sense of the term.“, observes the psychologist. He does not impress at first glance. He asks for a second look.
This assumed marginality says a lot about its fans.
“To love curling is to agree to love something that doesn’t appeal to everyone. Not looking for immediate support. Being a little offbeat.” A posture that intrigues, sparks discussions, and sometimes even a certain discreet pride.
What this passion says, implicitly
Basically, curling acts as a developer. “Basically, it tells a fairly clear subjective position.”concludes Amélie Boukhobza. “Prefer finesse to the spectacular, duration to the instantaneous, the collective to the hero… and undoubtedly the margin to the common”.
So no, curling will never thrill the crowds like a sprint or a dizzying descent. But for those who take the time to watch it, it offers something else: a rare luxury, that of thoughtful slowness.