What is a curling power play? What is the hammer? How many ends? Who's on the U.S. team, and will their stone-cold strategy end the medal drought?

Olympic competition begins Wednesday with curling. Here’s a breakdown of the sport’s history, rules and strategy.

He found the Detroit Curling Club, which celebrated its 140th Anniversary in 2025. "The oldest recorded curling in the United States is in the Detroit area, dating back to 1832, and so curling has been around for quite a while here in the Detroit area," said Mike Grudzinski, vice president of Detroit Curling Club.

How do brooms affect stones in curling? Here's what to know as the popular 2026 Winter Olympics competition begins at Milano Cortina Games.

While the official start to the Olympics is Friday with the opening ceremonies, the U.S. mixed curling team was in action Thursday in Italy, winning the first two matches of round-robin play. The sport has plenty of interest here in Iowa.

Friday is the opening ceremony for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Some competitions have already started including curling.As the sport once again takes the world stage, a local curling club is hoping it will inspire some folks to try it out themselves.

Did you know all Olympic curling stones come from a tiny Scottish island? Why the granite sourced at Ailsa Craig is crucial to this unique sport. (Photo: AP)

The Detroit Curling Club is experiencing unprecedented growth as the Olympic sport of curling captures the imagination of metro Detroit residents. What was once a struggling organization on the brink

The Winter Olympic Opening ceremonies kick off Friday on WSMV4.