"Zionist": Swiss State Broadcast Commentator Slams Israeli Bobsleigh Team

A commentary segment aired during the 2026 Winter Olympics has ignited debate over the boundaries between sports broadcasting and geopolitical discourse.

Swiss broadcaster RTS confirmed that journalist Stefan Reina made critical remarks as the Israeli bobsleigh team began its run in Cortina.

Reina described pilot Adam Jeremy Edelman as “Zionist to the core,” referencing Edelman’s social media statements. He further stated that Edelman had “posted several messages on social media supporting the genocide in Gaza.”

Reina also noted that the term “genocide” has been used by a UN Commission of Inquiry and cited Edelman’s previous description of the conflict as “the most just and moral war in history.”

He said Edelman’s Olympic presence “raises questions,” pointing to IOC policies on athletes linked to activities interpreted as endorsing war, including through social media.

“Inappropriate for Sports Commentary”

RTS removed the segment from its digital platforms overnight. In a statement to Al Jazeera, the broadcaster said: “Our journalist wanted to question the IOC’s policy regarding the statements made by the athlete in question.”

It added that the content, while “factual,” was deemed “inappropriate for sports commentary due to its length.”

The decision reflects editorial sensitivities surrounding live Olympic coverage, where commentary is traditionally expected to focus on performance rather than political context.

Athlete Response And Defense

Edelman addressed the controversy on social media, saying: “I am aware of the scathing attack launched by the commentator against the Israeli bobsleigh team.”

He defended the team’s participation, adding: “We have no coach, no intensive training programme, just a dream, determination, and unwavering pride in what we represent.”

The Israeli team ultimately finished 26th out of 26 teams, though competitive results were largely overshadowed by the broadcast dispute.

Diplomatic And Advocacy Backlash

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the remarks, accusing Reina of anti-Semitism and “spreading bigotry and hatred” in a post on X.

The StopAntisemitism organization called for Reina’s dismissal, arguing the commentary insulted Israeli athletes.

IOC Distances Itself

International Olympic Committee spokesperson Mark Adams declined to comment directly on the broadcast. “I would remind everyone involved… of the values and the charter and the idea of us trying to bring people together,” he said, adding that commentary decisions are “a matter to refer to the broadcaster.”

The exchange highlights persistent tensions between the IOC’s neutrality principles and the realities of modern media environments, where athletes’ public statements increasingly intersect with live event coverage, as Olympic coverage becomes entangled in wider political narratives, particularly amid the ongoing Gaza genocide.