Olympics: Curling powerhouse Canada loses to Switzerland at Sochi

SOCHI, Russia — In a bit of a shocker on the first day of men’s curling, defending gold medalist Canada lost to Switzerland, 5-4, on Monday. Canada won its other game but struggled to defeat Germany, 11-8.

Canada was considered the heavy favorite to win this tournament.

The only country to win both its games was Sweden, beating Switzerland, 7-5, and Britain, 8-4.

The U.S. opened play with a 7-4 loss to Norway. In other games, China beat Denmark, 7-4, and Denmark beat Russia, 11-10.

On the women’s side, Canada showed it’s ready to play with a 9-2 win over China. The mercy rule was invoked after the seventh end when Canada led by seven. The U.S. took a 2-0 lead over Switzerland but it quickly went away as the Swiss won, 7-4. In the other games, defending champion Sweden dispatched Britain, 6-4, and Russia beat Denmark, 7-4.

BIATHLON: France picked up a gold and a bronze in the men’s 12.5-kilometer pursuit. Martin Fourcade had a pretty easy time of things to finish first. Ondrej Moravec of the Czech Republic got the silver and Jean Guillaume Beatrix got bronze.

Tim Burke was the highest finishing American in 22nd place. Lowell Bailey (38th) and Leif Nordgren (53rd) also competed for the U.S.

john.cherwa@latimes.com