Israel Disqualifies Its Own Olympic Bobsleigh Team for Lying to Officials

In an unusual and dramatic turn of events at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Israel’s four-man bobsleigh team was disqualified by its own national Olympic committee after team members submitted a false medical claim in an attempt to include a substitute athlete. The decision was announced by the Olympic Committee of Israel in a statement condemning the conduct as antithetical to fair play and Olympic values.
The controversy unfolded on Sunday, 22 February 2026, amid the four-man bobsleigh competition. Earlier in the Games, the Israeli crew — consisting of AJ Edelman, Menachem Chen, Uri Zisman, and Omer Katz — completed two heats and finished 24th out of 27 sleds following a race that saw three other teams crash during their second run.
Times of Israel
What Went Wrong
The dispute centers on an attempted lineup change that would have allowed Ward Fawarseh — the team’s alternate — to compete in place of Zisman. If Fawarseh had taken the ice, he would have made history as Israel’s first Druze Olympian, a landmark moment for representation in the Games.
However, according to officials, substitutions in bobsleigh are strictly governed by Olympic regulations. An alternate may only replace a team member when that athlete is verified to be injured or ill by medical assessment. Attempting to circumvent this rule led to the team’s undoing.
To make the substitution legitimate, one of the squad’s athletes claimed to be unwell, underwent a medical examination, and signed an affidavit — all to satisfy the formal requirements for a swap. Afterward, however, the athlete admitted to delegation leadership that the injury claim was fabricated, and that the substitution scheme had been premeditated.
In light of the admission, the Olympic Committee of Israel withdrew its request to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and opted to disqualify the team from further competition. The Israeli committee’s statement described the conduct as “improper” and “inconsistent with the principles of fair play and sportsmanship expected of Olympic athletes.”
Responses From the Team
In a post on social media, team pilot AJ Edelman acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding the attempted substitution “did not meet the high bar” required for a legitimate lineup change. He said the decision to withdraw from the final run was made with regret.
Times of Israel
Edelman added that although the team was not in medal contention, their overarching motivation was to give Fawarseh the opportunity to compete. “It was more important to us that our alternate could have the opportunity to compete in the Olympics,” he wrote, while also expressing pride in what the crew had achieved in representing Israel.
Times of Israel
Broader Context at the Games
The bobsleigh squad had already garnered attention throughout the Milan-Cortina Games not only for its on-track performance but also for controversies related to broadcasting and commentary. Earlier coverage by broadcasters, including remarks about the team’s presence, drew criticism and required apologies, highlighting the heightened scrutiny experienced by the Israeli delegation.
For Israel’s Olympic contingent — which this year includes athletes across several winter disciplines — the disqualification represents a symbolic setback at a Games where medals have been difficult to come by. Nonetheless, other competitors such as Israeli skier Barnabas Szollos are still scheduled to participate and even carry the national flag during the closing ceremony.
Times of Israel
Fairness, Rules, and Olympic Integrity
The decision by Israel’s Olympic Committee to disqualify its own team underscores the importance placed on integrity and compliance with international competition rules, even at the cost of historic individual milestones. Olympic officials have stressed that adherence to regulations safeguards the credibility of competition and ensures a level playing field for all participants.
While the bobsleigh team will not compete further in the event, the incident serves as a reminder that the Olympic spirit demands not just athletic excellence, but respect for the rules and ethical conduct that govern global sport.