Israel Slams Swiss Broadcaster for Targeting Winter Olympian

What should have been a celebration of athletic determination at the 2026 Winter Olympics instead turned into a political controversy and Israel is pushing back.

During live coverage of the two-man bobsleigh event in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Swiss broadcaster RTS commentator Stephan Renne questioned the presence of Israeli athlete AJ Edelman at the Games. Departing from race analysis, Renne referenced Edelman’s public support for Israel during the war in Gaza and suggested that one could “question his presence” at the Olympics.

The remarks drew swift condemnation from Israeli officials and Olympic representatives, who called the commentary inappropriate, political, and harmful to the Olympic spirit.

In a statement to Reuters, RTS acknowledged that while the information cited was factual, it may have appeared “inappropriate due to its length within the context of a sports commentary,” and removed the segment from its website.

The International Olympic Committee clarified that any concerns about individual commentators must be addressed to the broadcasters themselves. Current IOC restrictions regarding active support of war apply specifically to Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under neutral status, not to Israeli competitors.

Israel’s Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar did not mince words.

“It is unacceptable that broadcasting unions around the world humiliate Israeli athletes and present them as supporters of genocide and call for their disqualification,” Zohar said. “I call on the International Olympic Committee to condemn the remarks and keep the Winter Olympics free of politics.”

The Olympic Committee of Israel also issued a firm response, rejecting what it described as “one-sided, political, and inflammatory statements” that have no place in an Olympic broadcast.

“Adam Edelman meets all the criteria set by the International Olympic Committee and is entitled to compete in the Games. Any attempt to imply otherwise is baseless,” the committee stated.

Yael Arad, chairwoman of the Olympic Committee of Israel and an IOC member, added: “Any attempt to link an Israeli athlete to genocide is wrong and improper. The fact that we are here and able to raise the Israeli flag is in itself the answer to all those who do not understand the Israeli and Jewish spirit.”

Edelman himself responded with quiet defiance. Widely reported to be the first Orthodox Jew to represent Israel at a Winter Olympics and a central force behind Israel’s bobsleigh program, he emphasized pride and perseverance over politics.

“We are a team of six proud Israelis who’ve made it to the Olympic stage,” Edelman wrote. “No coach with us. No big program. Just a dream, grit, and an unyielding pride in who we represent.”

On the ice, Edelman and teammate Menachem Chen completed their first two heats and were scheduled to finish their final runs later in the competition.

Beyond rankings and times, the episode underscores a broader reality: Israeli athletes increasingly face political scrutiny simply for representing their country. Yet, as Israel’s delegation continues to compete under its flag, the message remains clear the Olympic arena should unite nations in sport, not divide them through rhetoric.

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