Israeli athlete responds after being called out by commentator live on air

During a broadcast of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games last night (16 February), an Israeli athlete was called out for being a ‘self-defined Zionist’.

Adam Edelman was competing in the two-man bobsled heats when Swiss commentator Stefan Renna made remarks about the captain.

The television network has now taken the clip down (which has now gone viral on social media) as it was deemed to not be ‘appropriate’ for a sports broadcast.

Renna had called out Edelman for his ‘support of the genocide in Gaza’ with the athlete later responding. The commentator had listed some of the Israeli athlete’s comments relating to the war in Palestine.

The Swiss said during part of the Winter Olympics commentary: “We remind you that 'genocide' is a term used by the UN commission of inquiry on the region. Edelman, who notably said of the Israeli military intervention that it was, again, I quote, 'the most morally just war in history’."

The broadcast has now been removed from the site. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

It seemed that Renna’s remarks about Edelman were prepared and lasted for the majority of Israel’s bobsled run.

As the clip went viral, the athlete shared on X that he was aware of the ‘diatribe’ the commentator had directed towards his team during the Swiss commentary.

“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,” Edelman wrote.

“No coach with us. No big program. 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.

“We look forward to our final 2man run and then crushing the 4man event, our specialty.”

Renna had also drawn comparison with the Ukrainian skeleton racer who was hit with a ban after wearing a helmet that honoured athletes who have died in the war with Russia.

The Swiss said: “This just goes to show that sport is obviously eminently political.”

Renna described the athlete as a 'self-defined Zionist’

A spokesperson for Radio Télévision Suisse told Deadline: “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.”

IOC spokesperson, Mark Adams, also addressed the matter during a press conference.

“I would remind everyone involved, however tangentially, in the Olympic Games, of the values and the charter and the idea of us trying to bring people together despite what's happening in the rest of the world,” he said.

"But in terms of specific comments by a commentator on one specific broadcast, I think that's a matter to refer to the broadcaster. So that's not a question for us at this stage."