Two curling stones used to win Olympic gold stolen ahead of Paralympics

The stones were to be used in the mixed doubles tournament in Cortina, which starts on Wednesday.

It is unclear how thieves managed to get hold of the stones, which weigh around 19 kilograms and are worth around 9,000 kronor each.

"Authorities are investigating the theft," International Curling Federation spokesman Chris Hamilton told the Canadian CBC in an email.

Two spare stones, adapted to the same specifications as the others, have been brought in, writes The Guardian.

Sweden is one of the teams in the curling competition in the Paralympics, where other stones are used.