It is such a strange contest. Men and women approach, point at a distant target, and then launch themselves using a "hack" in order to throw 40 pound "stones", sometimes called the "hammer", at a "house" located some 120 feet away, using aggressive phrases such as, "take out", and "guard". Added to that, the players involved did not necessarily look like typical athletes. It could not be concluded that the best players were the best conditioned. They were a little in the way of special garb or protective gear, and that is because injury is rare.

Such is the game of curling, a permanent Olympic sport since 1998. It is a game of oddities, especially when compared with the thrills, spills, speed and stamina of other Olympic competitions. In fact, some would argue it has no place on the medal podium reserved for those that evidence unquestionable athletic prowess. Despite any similarities, it is very different than shuffleboard. It has been compared to horseshoes and golf, and also nicknamed "chess on ice". Finesse, skill and strategy combine in competition to form this highly challenging game played in winter climates the world around. Although the Scottish inventors of the game are still tough competition, Canadians have become dominant adversaries in this poorly understood and often derided sport.

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