Israel's Historic Olympic Bobsled Debut: Last Place Finish Met with Celebration
Israel has officially entered the Olympic bobsled arena for the very first time, marking a significant milestone in the nation's sporting history. The two-man team, consisting of AJ Edelman and Menachem Chen, competed at the Milan Cortina Winter Games, finishing in last place out of twenty-six sleds at the halfway point. Despite this position, the athletes expressed overwhelming joy and pride, viewing their participation as a victory in itself.
A Journey of Perseverance Against the Odds
The path to the Olympics was fraught with challenges for the Israeli bobsled team. Sliding sports are notoriously expensive, and even top competitors often struggle financially. Edelman, a Boston native who previously made history as Israel's first Olympic skeleton competitor in Pyeongchang 2018, has personally shouldered significant costs to pursue these dreams. The team operates without a full-time coach and had to secure their Olympic berth through intense effort. Additionally, they faced a robbery at their training base apartment before arriving in Italy, adding to their hurdles.
Edelman openly acknowledges that speed is not their strongest asset, with the team recording the slowest starts and finishes in both heats. They trailed leader Johannes Lochner of Germany by nearly five seconds, a substantial gap in bobsledding. Yet, in a post-race statement, Edelman emphasized a positive outlook, declaring, "We are victors, not victims."
Representation Over Results: A Broader Mission
For the Israeli athletes, the primary goal extends beyond podium finishes. At a time when Israel's presence in international sports has faced boycotts and backlash due to the Gaza conflict, their participation carries symbolic weight. Israel has ten athletes at the Milan Cortina Olympics, six of whom are sliders, aiming to represent their country and Jewish communities worldwide.
Edelman, believed to be the first Orthodox Jew to compete in the Winter Games, has been instrumental in building the team. He recruited a rugby player and three track and field athletes to form the national squad, fostering a spirit of inclusivity. Reflecting on the impact, Edelman shared, "It is the greatest thing in the world to see your country represented, and some kid’s going to see that... and he’s going to start his journey."
Looking Ahead: Future Prospects and Legacy
The two-man team will have one more run on Tuesday, though a top-twenty finish to secure a fourth run seems mathematically improbable. Edelman will also lead a team in the four-man event later this week. He revealed that he nearly abandoned his Olympic bobsled ambitions multiple times, but his mother persuaded him to persevere.
Edelman highlighted the importance of setting a precedent, stating, "We always want to be the first but not the last... Now we’ve set a precedent. Others can come after us." This debut not only celebrates athletic endeavor but also inspires future generations, proving that representation and determination can triumph over conventional measures of success.
