Israel's Pioneering Bobsled Team Makes Winter Olympic History Amid Geopolitical Tensions
In an unprecedented sporting achievement, Israel is poised to make its inaugural appearance in bobsleigh at the forthcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games. This diverse squad, assembled from athletes with backgrounds ranging from pole-vaulting to rugby, represents a remarkable story of determination and national pride unfolding against a backdrop of international controversy.
An Unlikely Assembly of Athletes
The team comprises individuals who, until recently, had minimal experience with winter sports. Their ranks include a pole-vaulter, sprinter, shot-putter, rugby player, and a former skeleton Olympian, all united under the Israeli flag. Leading this historic endeavour is AJ Edelman, who is believed to be the first Orthodox Jew to compete in a Winter Olympic Games. Meanwhile, founding member Ward Farwaseh stands ready to become the inaugural Druze Olympian, marking significant milestones for both communities.
Edelman's journey to the Olympics is particularly compelling. In 2014, a skeleton scout dismissed his potential due to scoliosis and poor balance, bluntly telling the American-Israeli from Brookline, Massachusetts, that he was "no Tom Brady." Undeterred, Edelman taught himself through YouTube tutorials, eventually qualifying for the 2018 Olympics where he finished 28th out of 30 competitors. His subsequent ambition to assemble a bobsleigh team required creative recruitment, including messaging Israel's rugby team roster on Instagram to reach athletes like Farwaseh.
Navigating Geopolitical Backlash
The team's participation arrives during a period of heightened sensitivity. Israel's presence in international sports has faced boycotts and significant backlash due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Palestinian health authorities report over 71,800 fatalities. This geopolitical context has sparked debates about whether Israeli athletes should compete under neutral status, similar to arrangements made for Russian competitors.
The International Olympic Committee has clarified that the legal grounds for action against Russia do not apply to Israel, though detailed explanations remain undisclosed. Within this charged atmosphere, team members have confronted direct criticism. "There was an athlete who told us in the summer that he would never represent Israel because 'you don't kill children,'" Edelman revealed, acknowledging the challenging sentiments they face.
Overcoming Adversity and Building Foundations
The team's path to qualification has been marked by extraordinary obstacles. They narrowly missed qualifying for the Beijing Games by a mere 0.1 second, redirecting their focus toward the 2026 Olympics. However, their preparations were dramatically disrupted when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties and around 250 hostages taken. Israel's subsequent military response led to most of Edelman's original teammates being drafted into service.
Undeterred, Edelman and Farwaseh launched a renewed recruitment drive, bringing in Israeli shot-putter Menachem Chen, sprinter Omer Katz, pole vaulter Uri Zisman, and crossfit athlete Itamar Shprinz as coach. Shprinz's introduction to the sport was particularly abrupt. "I knew in the back of my head it was something about sleds and winter sports, but not what you needed to do in the sport," he admitted. Within two days, he was in Europe, then Canada, experiencing his first bobsled run. "It was terrible, I passed out. It's a hard sport," he recalled. Despite these challenges, the revitalised team secured their Olympic spot at Lake Placid last month.
A Broader Israeli Olympic Presence
Beyond the bobsled team, Israel will send five additional athletes to the Milan Cortina Games. These include figure skater Maria Seniuk, skiers Noa and Barnabas Szollos, cross-country skier Atila Mihaly Kertesz, and skeleton athlete Jared Firestone. Yael Arad, chair of the Israel Olympic Committee, conveyed a poignant message to all Olympians: "Leave in peace and return in peace... you are carrying the torch of generations of Jewish and Israeli sports tradition, and every time you wave the Israeli flag, do so in the name of those who dreamed and did not arrive, those who are in our hearts forever."
Pride and Purpose Amid Controversy
Despite the geopolitical tensions surrounding their participation, team members express profound pride in representing their nation. Edelman has even coined a term for their journey, "Shul Runnings," a playful nod to the 1993 film "Cool Runnings." He remains optimistic about Israel's future in winter sports, stating, "I'm very sure that with this programme now — with the infrastructure that has been set up — Israel will become a force in bobsled."
Team members also address safety concerns directly. When pole vaulter Uri Zisman's mother expressed worry about him wearing the Star of David on his back, he responded, "No mom, that's what we do. We do the best we can." This sentiment encapsulates the team's resolve to compete with dignity and determination, hoping to inspire young Israeli athletes and establish a lasting legacy in winter sports, regardless of the controversies that surround them.
