A Swiss television commentator has ignited a fierce row at the Winter Olympics after launching into an extended critique of Israeli bobsleigh pilot Adam Edelman during live coverage of the Milan-Cortina Games.
Stefan Renna, broadcasting for Radio Television Suisse, devoted much of his commentary during the Israeli two-man team's second qualifying run on Monday to Edelman's social media history rather than the sporting action.
The commentator described Edelman as a "first-time Olympian and self-defined Zionist to the core, who has posted several messages on social networks in support of genocide in Gaza."
Renna referenced a United Nations Commission of Inquiry report and quoted Edelman's previous description of the Israeli military intervention as "the most morally just war in history."
Israeli bobsleigh pilot Adam Edelman was branded a 'Zionist' by a commentator on live TV
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The footage rapidly spread across social media, attracting hundreds of thousands of views overnight.
The Swiss broadcaster subsequently removed the segment from its website, though it stood by its journalist's intentions.
An RTS spokesperson acknowledged the commentary was "factual" but conceded it was unsuitable for sports coverage.
"Our journalist wanted to question the IOC's policy regarding the athlete's statements," the spokesperson explained. "However, such information, while factual, is inappropriate for sports commentary due to its length."
RTS, the French-language arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, took down the recording of the two-man event overnight.
Commentator Stefan Renna on Swiss public broadcaster RTS sparked controversy during Israeli captain AJ Edelman’s second bobsleigh run at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, bringing up Edelman’s past social media posts supporting Israel’s genocide in Gaza, including one… pic.twitter.com/TenlLtbRiw
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) February 17, 2026
Renna had also drawn comparisons with IOC rules applied to Russian and Belarusian competitors, who face restrictions on participation if they have actively supported the war in Ukraine through events, military engagement, or social media activity.
Edelman hit back at the commentary on X, dismissing Renna's remarks as a "diatribe" directed at the Israeli bobsled team.
"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," he wrote.
"No coach with us. No big program. Just a dream, grit, and unyielding pride in who we represent."
The pilot, who holds dual Israeli and American citizenship, emphasised his team's determination in reaching the Games despite limited resources.
"Working together towards an incredible goal and crushing it. Because that's what Israelis do," he added.
The Israeli squad, competing under the name Shul Runnings, ultimately placed last among the 26 competing sleds, recording the slowest start and finish times in both heats.
Israeli bobsleigh pilot Adam Edelman hit back at the Swiss commentator on social media
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Mike Huckabee, the American ambassador to Israel, issued a scathing response on social media, branding the commentary as antisemitic.
"Beyond disgusting that the Jew-hating Swiss 'sportscaster' spewed bigotry & bile at @Israel Olympic Bobsled team & its captain @realajedelman as they competed," he wrote.
The International Olympic Committee declined to address the specific remarks directly but offered a broader reminder about the Games' purpose.
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams stated: "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."
Adams directed further questions about the commentary to the broadcaster itself, indicating the matter fell outside the IOC's immediate purview.