For the first time in history, the Israeli flag will adorn a bobsleigh at the Winter Olympic Games.
The Olympic Committee of Israel confirmed Thursday regarding the expansion of the national delegation for the upcoming Milano-Cortina 2026 games (set to begin in two weeks). The squad has grown from five to nine athletes following the historic qualification of the men's bobsleigh team.
The team secured their spot after finishing fifth in the North American Cup, meeting the strict international criteria. But it is the composition of the team that is drawing attention, resembling a real-life version of the movie Cool Runnings.
The team is a patchwork of athletes from different disciplines who pivoted to the ice:
- Adam Edelman: The pilot and team financier, a Jewish-American athlete who had already qualified in the individual category.
- Ward Fawarseh: A Druze rugby player from the village of Maghar in the Galilee.
- Menachem Chen: Israel's national shot-put champion for the last five years.
- Omer Katz: Israel's CrossFit champion and national runner-up in weightlifting (under 88kg).
- Ori Zisman (Alternate): A member of the Israeli national rugby team.
From Sand and Sweat to Ice
The team is coached by Itamar Sprintz, a former pole vault runner-up, highlighting the squad's athletic diversity.
"It is a very unusual step," sources noted regarding the rapid assembly and qualification of the team. The inclusion of Fawarseh also marks a significant moment for the representation of the Druze community on the global stage under the Israeli flag.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina will commence in early February, where this eclectic quartet will compete against the traditional powerhouses of winter sports.
