Israel Disqualifies Own Bobsleigh Team from Winter Olympics Over Substitution Deception

In a stunning blow to the Israeli delegation on the final day of the 2026 Winter Games, the Olympic Committee of Israel (OCI) has withdrawn its four-man bobsleigh team from competition following a scandal involving a faked medical exam.

The disqualification prevented the team from completing its final runs on Sunday after officials discovered a deceptive attempt to swap team members.

The Substitution Scheme

The controversy centers on the team’s attempt to allow alternate Ward Fawarseh to compete in place of Uri Zisman. Had he taken to the ice, Fawarseh would have made history as Israel’s first-ever Druze Olympian. However, Olympic regulations only permit alternates to compete if a primary athlete is injured or ill.

According to the OCI, a team member, encouraged by his teammates, falsely claimed to be unwell, underwent a medical examination, and signed an affidavit to trigger the substitution. The plan collapsed when Zisman admitted to the head of the delegation that he had "acted improperly," forcing the OCI to withdraw the request and disqualify the team entirely.

The OCI condemned the behavior as "improper" and stated it "goes against fair and sportsmanlike conduct."

"No More Mercy": Team Response

Team leader **AJ Edelman** addressed the disqualification on Instagram, explaining that since the team was in 24th place and out of medal contention, they prioritized giving their alternate a chance to experience the Games.

"It was more important to us that our alternate could have the opportunity to compete in the Olympics," Edelman wrote. He acknowledged, however, that the circumstances "did not meet the high bar" for lineup changes. "We are sorry that this will not end for us in the way we had hoped," he added, while remaining "proud of the history we made."

A Games Defined by Controversy

The bobsleigh team, Israel’s first-ever in the Winter Olympics, has been a lightning rod for attention throughout the Milano Cortina Games:

Broadcasting Incidents: A Swiss commentator was recently criticized for accusing Edelman of "supporting genocide" during a live broadcast.

RAI Apology: On Saturday, the Italian broadcaster RAI apologized for an off-air comment suggesting that discussion of the Israeli team should be "avoided."

Despite the embarrassing and disappointing exit for the bobsleigh team, Israel’s Olympic campaign concludes Sunday night with skier Barnabas Szollos serving as the flag-bearer for the closing ceremony.