Israel Debuts Historic Bobsled Squad at Milan‑Cortina 2026 Amid Sustainability Debate
Updated (3 articles)
Israel’s First Bobsled Team Secures Olympic Spot The inaugural Israeli bobsleigh crew qualified at the Lake Placid test event in January 2026, earning a place for the Games that open on 6 February 2026[1]. The four‑man sled will race alongside five other Israeli athletes, including figure skater Maria Seniuk and skier Noa Szollos[1]. Their participation follows a rapid roster overhaul after many original members were called back to military service following the October 2023 Hamas attack[1].
Historic Firsts Include Orthodox Jew and Druze Olympians AJ Edelman, a former skeleton competitor who finished 28th in PyeongChang 2018, leads the team and is likely to become the first Orthodox Jew to compete in a Winter Olympics[1]. Ward Farwaseh, a member of Israel’s Druze minority, joins the sled as possibly the first Druze Olympian, underscoring the squad’s diverse background[1]. The lineup also features shot‑putter Menachem Chen, sprinter Omer Katz, pole‑vaulter Uri Zisman, and coach Itamar Shprinz, all recruited through personal outreach and social media[1].
Milan‑Cortina Games Promote Sustainability While Facing Environmental Criticism Organisers market the 2026 Winter Olympics as a “sustainable” edition, emphasizing reuse of existing venues and a modest ecological footprint starting 6 February 2026[2]. Critics note that the fragmented venue layout forces extensive travel for athletes and spectators, inflating emissions contrary to the green narrative[2]. Italy’s decision to build a €120 million energy‑intensive bobsleigh track, rather than relocate the event, further undermines sustainability claims[2]. Additional concerns include water‑intensive snow cannons and a budget that has tripled since the original bid, driven by TV‑centric venue standards[2].
Athletes Praise Return to Normal Competition After Pandemic Restrictions Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris says his primary goal this week is “enjoying it with my friends,” a sentiment echoed by ski star Mikaela Shiffrin and short‑track speedskater Andrew Heo, who welcome the absence of daily COVID testing[3]. The Livigno Alpine venue offers a relaxed atmosphere with local food, wine, and unrestricted family access, contrasting sharply with Beijing 2022’s “sports prison” bubble[3]. U.S. athletes such as speedskater Brittany Bowe and hockey forward Caroline Harvey anticipate family support while acknowledging the added pressure of performing on a normal stage[3].
Sources
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1.
AP:Israel’s First Bobsled Team Competes at Milan‑Cortina 2026: details the team’s diverse composition, historic Orthodox‑Jew and Druze representation, rapid roster changes after the Gaza war, and qualification at Lake Placid.
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2.
Le Monde:Milan‑Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Face Environmental and Cost Contradictions: examines the Games’ sustainability rhetoric versus the €120 million bobsleigh track, dispersed venues, snow‑making impacts, and ballooning budget.
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3.
AP:Olympic Athletes Relish Return to Normal Games after COVID‑Era Restrictions: highlights athletes’ excitement for unrestricted competition, social atmosphere in Livigno, and the contrast with Beijing 2022’s testing regime.
Timeline
Oct 7, 2023 – The Hamas attack on Israel sparks a wave of international sports boycotts over the Gaza war, shaping the political backdrop for Israel’s participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics and prompting a roster overhaul for its bobsled team as athletes are recalled to military service[1].
Feb 2018 – AJ Edelman competes in skeleton at the PyeongChang Winter Games, finishing 28th of 30, gaining his first Olympic experience before shifting his focus to bobsleigh for future Games[1].
Feb 2022 – Edelman misses qualification for the Beijing Winter Olympics by 0.1 second, a narrow loss that drives him to build a bobsled squad for the 2026 Games[1].
Feb 2022 – Beijing imposes daily COVID‑19 nasal swabs and isolation protocols, creating a “sports prison” atmosphere that Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris later describes as a “trip to ‘sports prison’”[2].
Early 2022 – Belgian skeleton rider Kim Meylemans publicly pleads for release after a positive COVID test, illustrating the personal toll of pandemic restrictions on athletes[2].
Jan 2026 – Israel’s bobsleigh team clinches an Olympic berth at the qualification event in Lake Placid, securing its place among five other Israeli athletes heading to Milan‑Cortina[1].
Feb 6, 2026 – The Milan‑Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics open, promoted as the start of a sustainable era with a focus on reuse of existing facilities and a controlled ecological footprint[3].
Feb 2026 (throughout Games) – The Games operate without daily COVID testing, allowing athletes like Mikaela Shiffrin to compete “without 24‑hour tests” and Mark McMorris to “enjoy it with my friends,” marking a return to a normal Olympic atmosphere[2].
Feb 2026 (throughout Games) – Israel fields its inaugural bobsled squad—comprising a pole‑vaulter, sprinter, shot‑putter, rugby player and former skeleton Olympian—making AJ Edelman likely the first Orthodox Jew and Ward Farwaseh possibly the first Druze athlete to compete in a Winter Olympics[1].
Feb 2026 (throughout Games) – Italy invests €120 million in a new bobsleigh track in Cortina, powering the Israeli team’s competition but drawing criticism for its high energy use and limited post‑Games utility, undermining the Games’ sustainability claims[3].
Feb 2026 (throughout Games) – Dispersed venues across northern Italy increase travel‑related emissions, while artificial snow cannons strain Alpine water resources, exposing a gap between the Games’ branding as “green” and its actual environmental impact[3].
2026 (future) – The French Alpine organizing committee for the 2030 Winter Olympics pledges to learn from Milan‑Cortina’s cost overruns and environmental shortcomings, calling for radical IOC reform before its bid is finalized[3].