Israeli athlete issues statement after being called out by commentator live on air
Israeli bobsleigh athlete Adam Edelman has responded to a Swiss commentator describing him as a ‘self-defined Zionist’.
During Monday’s (16 February) two-man bobsleigh heats, Stefan Renna did not hold back when offering thoughts on Israel team captain Edelman.
Renna, who works for Radio Télévision Suisse, questioned the presence of Israeli athletes at the Milan-Cortina Games following the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The Swiss commentator then suggested that Edelman had supported the Israeli military during the Gaza conflict, claiming that the Olympian had supported the genocide in Gaza.
Advert
Renna even went as far as to quote some of the athlete's alleged previous comments on the matter.
Renna said: “We remind you that 'genocide' is a term used by the UN commission of inquiry on the region. Edelman, who notably said of the Israeli military intervention that it was, again, I quote, 'the most morally just war in history’."
The Swiss also alleged that Edelman has previously called him a “Zionist to the core”.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a Zionist is defined as someone who “belongs to or supports a political movement that had as its original aim the creation of a country for Jewish people, and that now supports the state of Israel”.
Renna also suggested that Israeli athletes who support the nation’s government should face similar treatment to Russian athletes who have been prohibited from expressing support for Vladimir Putin following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Russian athletes have been competing under the AIN (Individual Neutral Athlete) banner during the 2026 Games.
The commentator spoke about the conflict for most of the Israeli team’s run.
The TV station has since removed the clip, despite it doing the rounds on social media, after deeming it not appropriate for viewing.
On Tuesday (17 February), Edelman issued a response via X and described the Swiss journalist’s comments as a “diatribe”.
“I am aware of the diatribe the commentator directed towards the Israeli Bobsled Team on the Swiss Olympics broadcast today,” he wrote on X.
“I can’t help but notice the contrast: Shul Runnings is a team of 6 proud Israelis who’ve made it to the Olympic stage.
“No coach with us. No big problem. Just a dream, grit, and unyielding pride in who we represent.
“Working together towards an incredible goal and crushing it. Because that’s what Israelis do.
“I don’t think it’s possible to witness that and give any credence to the commentary.”
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams also responded with a statement and cited how the Games should be used to “bring people together” despite the ongoing conflicts around the world.
Adams said: “I would remind everyone involved, however tangentially, in the Olympic Games, of the values and the charter and the idea of us trying to bring people together despite what’s happening in the rest of the world.”
Edelman and Menachem Chen finished last during the two-man race.
Topics: Olympics
Luke Davies