Full Breakdown
Israeli Bobsled Team Faces Robbery Ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics
2/8/2026, 1:43:52 AM
Incident Overview: Robbery at Team Apartment
The Israeli bobsled team, preparing for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, experienced a significant setback when their apartment was robbed. AJ Edelman, the team's driver and a former Olympic skeleton athlete, reported that the theft included "thousands of dollars" worth of items, including suitcases, shoes, equipment, and passports. The incident occurred shortly before the opening ceremony, which took place on Friday night. While Edelman was not present during the robbery, team coach Itamar Shprinz was reportedly at the location, though it remains unclear if he witnessed the event.
Team Resilience Amidst Adversity
Despite the robbery, Edelman expressed the team's determination to continue their training. He stated on social media, “Such a gross violation — suitcases, shoes, equipment, passports stolen, and the boys headed right back to training today.” He emphasized that this incident exemplifies the resilience of the team, which is competing in bobsled for the first time in Olympic history after qualifying for the games when Great Britain declined one of its allocated spots. The team is set to compete in both the two-man and four-man bobsled events, with competitions starting on February 16 and February 21, respectively.
Historical Significance of the Team's Participation
The 2026 Winter Olympics will mark a historic moment for Israel, as it will be the first time the country competes in bobsled. Edelman is noted for potentially being the first Orthodox Jew to compete in a Winter Olympics, while teammate Ward Fawarseh is expected to become the first Druze Olympian. Edelman remarked on the significance of their participation, stating, “Never had a Druze Olympian. Until now. Never had an Olympic Bobsled team. Until now. Never had an Olympian in 2 different sports. Until now. We make the impossible possible.”
Official Statements & Responses
The Israeli Olympic Committee has not yet issued a public comment regarding the robbery. However, Edelman’s statements reflect a commitment to overcoming challenges as they prepare for their Olympic debut. The team is maintaining a positive outlook, focusing on their upcoming competitions despite the recent incident.
Criticism & Opposition
While the incident has drawn attention, there has been no significant public criticism or opposition regarding the team's handling of the situation. The focus remains on their resilience and preparation for the games.
What's Next: Upcoming Competitions
The Israeli bobsled team will participate in official training sessions in Cortina d’Ampezzo starting Thursday, ahead of their competitions. The two-man bobsled event is scheduled for February 16, followed by the four-man event on February 21, 2026. The team aims to make a strong showing in their inaugural Olympic appearance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Such a gross violation — suitcases, shoes, equipment, passports stolen, and the boys headed right back to training today.” — AJ Edelman, Driver, Israeli Bobsled Team
- “Never had a Druze Olympian. Until now,” — AJ Edelman, Driver, Israeli Bobsled Team
