{"id":10640,"date":"2026-02-17T16:37:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T16:37:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/10640\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T16:37:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T16:37:10","slug":"swiss-tv-removes-viral-israel-bobsled-commentary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/10640\/","title":{"rendered":"Swiss TV Removes Viral Israel Bobsled Commentary"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tEXCLUSIVE: A Swiss television network has taken down from its website a viral Winter Olympics<\/a> clip in which a commentator calls out an Israeli athlete for his \u201csupport of the genocide in Gaza.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tIn correspondence with Deadline, a Radio T\u00e9l\u00e9vision Suisse (RTS<\/a>) spokesperson verified the footage \u2014 which has been viewed millions of times on social media \u2014 and said it had been removed because it was not \u201cappropriate\u201d for a sports broadcast.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe clip features commentator Stefan Renna making remarks about A.J. Edelman<\/a>, who has dual American and Israeli citizenship. Edelman was competing in the two-man bobsled heats in Milan-Cortina, finishing in last place among 26 teams.<\/p>\n

\n\tDuring one of the heats, Renna listed some of Edelman\u2019s comments and actions relating to the war in Gaza. The commentator quoted Edelman as having said that the conflict was the \u201cmost morally just\u201d war in history, and alleged that he mocked a Free Palestine demonstration.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cEdelman, a first-time Olympian and self-defined \u2018Zionist to the core,\u2019 who has posted several messages on social media in support of the genocide in Gaza,\u201d Renna said in seemingly pre-prepared remarks that lasted for the entire Israel bobsled run. Israel disputes allegations of genocide.<\/p>\n

\n\tRenna contrasted Edelman\u2019s ability to participate in the Winter Olympics with the International Olympic Committee\u2019s treatment of Vladyslav Heraskevych<\/a>, the Ukrainian skeleton racer who was banned after wearing a helmet honoring athletes who died in the war with Russia. \u201cThis just goes to show that sport is obviously eminently political,\u201d Renna said.<\/p>\n

\n\tAn RTS spokesperson said: \u201cOur journalist wanted to question the IOC\u2019s policy regarding the athlete\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tEdelman responded to the RTS clip on X\/Twitter. He did not dispute any of the claims made in the commentary, but described it as a \u201cdiatribe.\u201d<\/p>\n

I am aware of the diatribe the commentator directed towards the Israeli Bobsled Team on the Swiss Olympics broadcast today.
I can’t help but notice the contrast: Shul Runnings is a team of 6 proud Israelis who’ve made it to the Olympic stage. No coach with us. No big program.\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/D7xAhhVAL0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 AJ Edelman, OLY (@realajedelman) February 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tHe continued: \u201cI can\u2019t help but notice the contrast: Shul Runnings is a team of 6 proud Israelis who\u2019ve made it to the Olympic stage. No coach with us. No big program. Just a dream, grit, and unyielding pride in who we represent. <\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cWorking together towards an incredible goal and crushing it. Because that\u2019s what Israelis do. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s possible to witness that and give any credence to the commentary.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tEdelman also reposted a comment from Mike Huckabee<\/a>, the White House\u2019s Ambassador to Israel. Huckabee said the RTS broadcast was evidence of \u201cJew-hating,\u201d saying the commentator \u201cspewed bigotry and bile\u201d as the Israeli team competed.<\/p>\n

\n\tMassachusetts-born Edelman told The Jewish Chronicle<\/a> earlier this month that the bobsled team has faced hostility from rivals, with one fellow competitor calling them \u201cbaby killers.\u201d Edelman, an Orthodox Jew, said he pities people who live with hatred, saying: \u201cWho has the energy to hate strangers all day?\u201d<\/p>\n