Israel's 4-man bobsled team disqualified at Milano-Cortina Olympics over false declaration

By Yunus Kaymaz

LONDON (AA) — The Israeli four-man bobsled team was disqualified on Sunday, the final day of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, after a false declaration was submitted regarding a team change, according to Israel’s Olympic Committee.

The team, captained by Adam Edelman, competed on Saturday but made a last-minute alteration to its lineup on Sunday morning.

Under Olympic competition rules, roster changes are permitted only if a team member is ill or otherwise unable to compete.

In a statement, the Israeli Olympic Committee said athlete Uri Zisman admitted to the head of the delegation that he had submitted inaccurate information to justify the substitution. The committee said the conduct did not meet the standards expected of Olympic athletes.

- Edelman defends decision

The 34-year-old Edelman had previously drawn attention after Radio Television Suisse commentator Stefan Renna said during a live broadcast that Edelman supported Israel’s actions in Gaza, which Renna described as genocide.

Explaining the incident, Edelman said the inaccurate health declaration was made so teammate Ward Fawarseh could take part in the race.

As team captain, Edelman defended the decision, saying that by the time the team reached the final run their ranking was largely determined and the athletes believed it was more important to give their reserve teammate a chance to compete at the Olympics.

According to Edelman’s account, the team moved forward with the lineup change but the conditions presented did not meet the criteria required for a roster substitution, leading to the team’s withdrawal from the final run.

Edelman’s description of the declaration as failing to meet criteria, and his reference to the outcome as a withdrawal despite the committee’s disqualification decision, drew attention.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Demir