BEIJING, China — John Morris admitted he made an error early in the mixed curling tournament at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics before bouncing back and winning the gold medal.
He hopes to be able to experience a similar scenario this time around, after caving in Thursday morning at the Beijing Olympics.
Morris and Rachel Homan lost 6-4 to Britons Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds, in a match marred by many unusual errors on either side.
“I didn’t want to start my tournament like this,” Morris said. But it happened and there is nothing we can do about it. I really want to support my team-mate and I want to help her in the next match”.
And that’s what he did on the evening program, as the Canadian duo won 7-6 against Norway’s Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten.
In other matches on the evening, Switzerland beat Great Britain 8-7, Sweden beat China 7-6 and the Czech Republic beat Australia 8-2.
After four rounds, Italy are the only unbeaten team at 2-0. China, Great Britain, Sweden and the Czech Republic follow at 2-1.
Canada is alone in sixth place at 1-1, ahead of Norway, Switzerland and the United States at 1-2. Australia trail the pack, 0-3.
Morris won gold with Kaitlyn Lawes in the mixed doubles debut at the Olympics four years ago. Homan couldn’t play with him since she was representing Canada in the women’s event.
The curling competitions started two days before the opening ceremony at the Ice Cube, due to a busy sports schedule.
The men’s events began on Wednesday, the day before the women’s. Curling competitions will continue until the conclusion of the Olympics on February 20.
Brad Gushue’s quartet will represent the country on the men’s side, while that of Jennifer Jones will do so on the ladies’ side.
About 100 spectators attended each of the sessions presented on Thursday. The Ice Cube was used for the aquatic events of the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008.
