A sports broadcaster covering Israeli AJ Edelman’s bobsleigh run at the Winter Olympic Games used his commentary to launch a broadside about the athlete, who he claimed was “supporting genocide”.
Instead of providing a rundown of the event at Milano Cortina 2026, Stefan Renna, a commentator for the Swiss broadcaster RTS, appeared to use the slot as a vehicle to express his views on the war in Gaza, and the existence of the state of Israel.
Speaking in French during Edelman’s bobsleigh run on Monday, he said of the athlete: "Adam Edelman – first time Olympian and self-defined Zionist to the core who has posted several messages on social networks in support of genocide in Gaza."
Renna went on to say of Israel’s military action in Gaza: "Genocide is [the] term used by the UN.”
He continued: "Edelman, who described the Israeli military intervention as, and I quote, 'the most morally just war in history', also mocked a 'free Palestine' inscription on a wall in Lillehammer [in Norway] on the sidelines of a [Bobsleigh] World Cup stage."
The JC has found no evidence to support these claims.
Renna also questioned whether the athlete should have been prevented from taking part in the Winter Olympics.
"When this member of the Israeli team is present here in Cortina, [who was] was engaged in an operation by the Israeli army in the Gaza strip in 2023, this raises the question of his presence in Cortina during these Games,” he said.
The International Olympic Committee has indicated that athletes who “actively supported the war by participating in pro-war events – being militarily engaged or via their activities on social media, [are] not eligible to participate," Renna said.
The statement that Renna appeared to be referring to was published in 2023, and concerned Russia and its invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement explaining its decision to suspend the Russian Olympic Committee in 2023, the IOC said: “Athletes who actively support the war cannot compete. Support personnel who actively support the war cannot be entered."
Edelman, who is set to race again this evening later posted on X: "I am aware of the diatribe the commentator directed towards the Israeli Bobsled Team on the Swiss Olympics broadcast.”
He continued: "I can't help but notice the contrast: Shul Runnings is a team of six proud Israelis who've made it to the Olympic stage. No coach with us. No big programme. Just a dream, grit, and unyielding pride in who we represent. Working together towards an incredible goal and crushing it. Because that's what Israelis do.
"I don't think it's possible to witness that and give any credence to the commentary."
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said: "In terms of specific comments by a commentator, that is a matter you have to refer to the broadcaster.”
RTS confirmed today it has removed the clip from its website, telling US entertainment website: It said in a statement: “Our journalist wanted to question the IOC’s policy regarding the athlete’s statements. However, such information, while factual, is inappropriate for sports commentary due to its length. Therefore, we removed the segment from our website last night.”
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