A Swiss television network has removed controversial commentary from its website after a reporter extensively questioned whether an Israeli bobsled competitor should participate in the Olympics because of his purported backing of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Radio Television Suisse (RTS) aired the commentary during Monday’s two-man bobsled competition featuring Israeli athletes Adam Edelman and Chen Menachem at the Milano Cortina games in Italy.
Commentator Stefan Renna argued that Edelman had endorsed Israeli military actions in the Gaza conflict and suggested this violated International Olympic Committee regulations prohibiting political statements by Olympic participants.
“Our journalist wished to question the IOC’s policy regarding the statements made by the athlete concerned,” RTS explained in a statement to Reuters.
“However, although factual, such information may have appeared inappropriate due to its length within the context of a sports commentary. For this reason, we removed the segment from our website last night.”
On Tuesday, the IOC stated that inquiries about individual broadcaster commentary should be addressed directly to the networks. The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation has not yet responded to requests for comment.
During his commentary, Renna claimed Edelman identified as a Zionist, shared social media posts supporting what Renna termed the “genocide” in Gaza, and had ridiculed a “Free Palestine” message he spotted on a wall during a World Cup competition.
“One can therefore question his presence in Cortina during these Games,” Renna stated, referencing IOC regulations concerning athletes’ military ties and active war support, including through social media activity.
Edelman, an American-born athlete who the Times of Israel reports is the first Orthodox Jewish competitor to represent Israel at the Winter Olympics, acknowledged Renna’s remarks on social media, calling them a “diatribe.”
“(We are) a team of six proud Israelis who’ve made it to the Olympic stage. No coach with us. No big program. Just a dream, grit, and an unyielding pride in who we represent,” Edelman posted. “I don’t think it’s possible to witness that and give any credence to the commentary.”
IOC regulations regarding active war support currently apply exclusively to Russian and Belarusian competitors, who are permitted to participate as neutral athletes despite their countries’ bans following Russia’s 2022 Ukraine invasion.
Renna, who RTS has prohibited from discussing his commentary further, also referenced Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was disqualified from last week’s competition for wearing a helmet honoring fellow Ukrainian athletes killed during the Russian invasion.
Edelman and Menachem are scheduled to complete their final two bobsled runs on Tuesday. After their initial two attempts, they ranked last in the competition.
