Historic Debut of Israel’s Bobsled Team at Milan Winter Games
TEL AVIV (AP) — Get ready for a unique and historic moment as Israel sends its inaugural bobsled team to the upcoming Winter Games in Milan Cortina, composed of a diverse group of athletes including a former Olympian, a pole-vaulter, a sprinter, a shot-putter, and a rugby player. Despite their varying backgrounds and limited experience with bobsleigh, these athletes aim to represent their nation on the international stage amidst a backdrop of political isolation and social challenges.
Team Composition and Significance
Eminent among them is AJ Edelman, who claims to be the first Orthodox Jew to compete in any Winter Games, alongside Ward Farwaseh, likely to become the first Druze athlete to compete in the Olympics. The team’s formation comes during a tumultuous time for Israeli sports, where athletes face scrutiny and possible boycotts due to heightened tensions and violence, particularly related to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Palestinian health ministry reports substantial casualties, raising complex conversations surrounding sports and politics.
Inspiration and Challenges
Edelman expressed his pride in representing Israel, saying their participation serves as inspiration for the next generation of athletes. “I used to be at the bottom of the pack athletically… Now, with the right infrastructure in place, I believe Israel can become a competitive force in bobsledding,” he remarked during an interview from Italy.
He humorously references his journey as a twist on the 1993 film “Cool Runnings,” calling it “Shul Runnings,” a nod to his Jewish identity.
Path to Bobsledding
His path to bobsledding was not straightforward; after being dismissed by a skull scout in 2014 due to his scoliosis and balance issues, Edelman pushed himself through rigorous self-training, eventually qualifying for the 2018 Olympics where he ranked 28th out of 30. After narrowly missing out on qualifying for the Beijing Games, he rallied fellow athletes to form a bobsled team for the 2026 Olympics.
Team Formation and Current Events
The team’s formation took a turn following the attacks on October 7, 2023, which resulted in immense loss of life and the drafting of many athletes into the Israeli military. Nonetheless, Edelman and Farwaseh sought new members, successfully bringing together Menachem Chen (shot-putter), Omer Katz (sprinter), pole-vaulter Uri Zisman, and crossfit coach Itamar Shprinz. The latter admitted to initially being uncertain about the sport until he experienced bobsledding firsthand during training.
Additional Athletes and Representation
Leading up to the Games, Israel will also showcase five additional athletes: figure skater Maria Seniuk, skiers Noa and Barnabas Szollos, cross-country skier Atila Mihaly Kertesz, and skeleton athlete Jared Firestone, amidst ongoing critiques and compared calls for neutrality that echo recent debates surrounding Russian athletes.
Messages of Pride and Commitment
Yael Arad, chair of the Israel Olympic Committee, conveyed a heartfelt message to athletes emphasizing the pride of their heritage. Edelman shared reflections on the sentiments surrounding their national representation, stating some reject participation due to political views. He recognized the existence of such sentiments but remained steadfast in the team’s goal of representing Israel with pride.
Zisman reflected on familial concerns, reiterating their commitment to competing despite the challenges.
Conclusion
The debut of Israel’s bobsled team in Milan will showcase not only their athletic talents but also embody the resilience of their spirit in the face of adversity, aiming for greater recognition and future triumphs in the sport.
