00:25A controversy has erupted at the Winter
00:28Olympics after Swiss broadcaster Radio Television Suisse pulled a video segment covering the
00:35two-man bobsleigh run of Israeli athletes Adam Edelman and Chen Menakem.
00:41The commentator, Stefan Renna, questioned the presence of Edelman at the Games, citing
00:47his alleged support for Israeli military actions in Gaza.
00:52Renna suggested that such positions could violate International Olympic Committee rules,
00:57which prohibit political statements or activities by athletes during Olympic events.
01:04During the commentary, Renna highlighted Edelman's social media activity, noting that the athlete
01:10identifies as a Zionist, had posted in support of Israeli military actions, and had allegedly
01:17mocked pro-Palestinian signage he encountered during previous competitions.
01:21Renna questioned whether these actions raised concerns about his eligibility under IOC regulations
01:29on military connections and active support for conflict.
01:34In response, RTS explained that the journalist intended to question the IOC's policy, but
01:41the segment was too long and potentially inappropriate within a sports broadcast, leading to its removal
01:47from the website.
01:49The International Olympic Committee clarified that any concerns regarding commentary should
01:55be addressed to the broadcasters, not the Olympic organization itself.
02:01Adam Edelman, born in the United States, is the first Orthodox Jew to represent Israel at
02:07the Winter Olympics.
02:09Reacting to the segment, Edelman described the commentary as a diatribe, emphasizing the dedication
02:16and pride of his small team.
02:19No coach with us, no big program, just a dream, grit, and unyielding pride in who we represent,
02:27he said on social media.
02:31Supporters of Edelman argue that the criticism reflects political bias rather than athletic performance,
02:37pointing to the heightened scrutiny Israeli athletes sometimes face because of Israel's geopolitical
02:44situation.
02:46Analysts say the incident raises broader questions about how much an athlete's political views
02:52or national identity should be considered during the Olympics.
02:57For Edelman and his teammates, the focus remains on competing at the highest level, representing
03:03Israel and maintaining pride in their achievements amid criticism.
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