Israel’s Historic Bobsled Team to Compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics
As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, the Israeli bobsled team is poised to make history by participating for the first time. The team, established in recent years by visionary athlete Adam “A.J.” Edelman, is set to showcase its talents in Milan-Cortina, racing down icy tracks at speeds of up to 150 km/h. The bobsleigh event is start of the most prominent and thrilling competitions in the Winter Olympics, and this year, it will feature a representative from Israel.
Team Composition and Support
The team includes athletes Adam Edelman, Menachem Chen, Ward Puerasa, Omri Katz, and Uri Zisman, with Itamar Shprinitz serving as their coach. At a recent gathering held by the Israeli Olympic Committee chair Yael Arad in Tel Aviv, she remarked, “Israel is making history by qualifying for the Winter Olympics in bobsled. A.J. had the vision, and I am thrilled to see him succeed in bringing the team to this event. The athletes have made remarkable progress over the past few months, and we made the unprecedented decision to allow them a place in the Winter Olympics despite the qualification challenges.”
A Long-Awaited Dream Realized
A.J. Edelman, now 34, shared that creating the Israeli bobsleigh team is the culmination of a long-held dream. “Twelve years ago, when I was playing start hockey, somestart suggested I could play for the Israeli national team. I wondered if that was the dream I wanted. I felt a strong connection to Israel; I wanted to compete in something larger and make history,” he said.
Recalling a pivotal moment in 2006 during the Second Lebanon War, Edelman explained, “I visited Israel and stayed in bomb shelters. That experience changed my life. I realized I wanted to represent Israel in sports and contribute to its legacy. My desire to create a bobsled team intensified after watching the film ‘Cool Runnings,’ and I knew I had to make it happen.”
After competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics as a skeleton athlete, Edelman recognized that his path to the top would require forming a bobsleigh team, which officially came together in 2019.
Diverse Team Members
Ward Puerasa, who shares a unique distinction as the first Druze athlete to represent Israel in the Olympics, recounted how he became part of the bobsled team. “A.J. sent me a message asking if I wanted to join the bobsleigh team. I didn’t even know what it was at first,” he laughed, reflecting on his background in sports such as rugby and acrobatics. Puerasa joined the team in 2020 and expressed pride in representing both his country and his community.
Omri Katz, 25, a student at Israel’s Technion Institute, also joined after Edelman encouraged him. He noted the emotional significance of finally achieving his Olympic dream in a different sport, stating, “It was always a distant aspiration as an athlete, but now I feel I have manifested that dream thanks to A.J.”
Overcoming Challenges
Meanwhile, Uri Zisman shared how he was inspired to join the team while in India. “I received a message from A.J. asking if I wanted to go to the Olympics. My intuition told me to say yes. It feels surreal to achieve this goal. We’ve been everywhere together, and A.J. proudly displays a shirt that reads ‘I’m a Zionist; I love the IDF’, showcasing our commitment,” he remarked, highlighting the team’s unity and identity.
Coach Itamar Shprinitz, once an athlete himself, now guides the team despite a challenging past. “Sports saved my life. I was once headed in a negative direction, but at 17, I decided to turn my life around, and find strength in athletics. I now aspire to inspire others who are struggling,” he explained.
The Journey Ahead
Edelman, who navigates the bobsled during their runs, emphasized the importance of precision and teamwork. “The team pushes hard, jumps in, and then we all have to stay still to optimize aerodynamics while I navigate the sled,” he said. As the team prepares for the competition, Edelman expresses both excitement and determination. “This journey has been extraordinary, and we are proud to represent Israel on the world stage. With the Israeli flag, we feel a deeper connection to our mission,” he stated.
In addition to their athletic feats, the team has a beloved mascot, a dog named Lulu, who has traveled with them through various competitions and has become a symbol of their journey.
As the Israeli bobsled team gears up for their inaugural Olympic appearance, they are not just aiming for personal goals; they are also breaking barriers and providing hope for future generations in their community, demonstrating that dreams can indeed come true.