Full Breakdown
Israel's Historic Bobsleigh Team at the Milan Cortina Winter Games
2/5/2026, 10:32:30 PM
Formation of the Team Amidst Geopolitical Tensions
Israel is set to debut its first bobsleigh team at the Milan Cortina Winter Games, featuring a diverse group of athletes including a pole-vaulter, sprinter, shot-putter, rugby player, and a former Olympian in skeleton. The team is led by AJ Edelman, believed to be the first Orthodox Jew to compete in a Winter Games, while founding member Ward Farwaseh is poised to become the first Druze Olympian. The athletes express pride in representing Israel, hoping to inspire future generations in the sport.
Edelman, who faced skepticism about his athletic potential due to scoliosis, taught himself bobsledding through online tutorials and qualified for the 2018 Olympics. His recruitment efforts for the bobsleigh team included reaching out to Israel's rugby team via social media, eventually convincing Farwaseh to join after initially dismissing Edelman's message as a scam.
Challenges and Resilience
The team narrowly missed qualifying for the Beijing Games by just 0.1 seconds, setting their sights on the 2026 Winter Games. However, their plans were disrupted by the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant casualties and hostages. In the aftermath, most of Edelman’s teammates were drafted into military service. Edelman and Farwaseh responded by recruiting new athletes, including shot-putter Menachem Chen, sprinter Omer Katz, pole vaulter Uri Zisman, and crossfit athlete Itamar Shprinz as coach.
Despite the challenges, the team secured an Olympic spot at Lake Placid last month. Israel will also send five other athletes to the Games, including figure skater Maria Seniuk and skiers Noa and Barnabas Szollos.
Official Statements & Responses
The International Olympic Committee has stated that the legal grounds for action against Russia do not apply to Israel, without providing further explanation. Amidst calls for Israeli athletes to compete as "Individual Neutral Athletes," Edelman remarked on the pride of representing Israel despite the geopolitical climate, stating, "We’re proud."
Criticism & Opposition
Some athletes have expressed reluctance to represent Israel due to the ongoing conflict, with one athlete stating, "you don’t kill children." This sentiment reflects broader concerns about the implications of representing a nation embroiled in conflict. Zisman addressed these fears, reassuring his mother that wearing the Star of David is a source of pride.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I used to be at the bottom of the pack athletically, and I made it here to the Olympics, so there must be some self-selection process,” — AJ Edelman, Team Leader
- “I didn’t believe it. I didn’t even know that there was a Winter Olympics before, until I met AJ,” — Ward Farwaseh, Team Member
- “We’re proud,” — Uri Zisman, Team Member
- “There was an athlete who told us in the summer that he would never represent Israel because ‘you don’t kill children.’ We’ve always known that those sentiments exist,” — AJ Edelman, Team Leader
Conclusion
Israel's bobsleigh team, formed under challenging circumstances, symbolizes resilience and determination. As they prepare for the Milan Cortina Winter Games, the athletes aim to not only compete but also inspire future generations in a sport that has historically been outside their national representation.
