Israeli Bobsled Team’s Journey to the Winter Olympics

The Israeli bobsled team experienced an unexpected setback just days before their historic debut at the Olympics. AJ Edelman, the team’s captain, was shocked to learn of a burglary and vandalism incident targeting the team. Edelman was in Venice, Italy, when he received confusing messages from his teammates, who were staying at a hotel in Prague. Initially, Edelman thought it was a prank, but soon realized it was a serious matter.

According to Edelman, “We got fingerprinted and everything, they went through the whole process of a serious break-in.” Despite the violation, the team quickly regained their composure and decided to press on. For them, this was another obstacle to overcome in their journey toward the ultimate goal of competing in the Olympic Games.

The team secured Israel’s first bobsled spot in winter Olympic history after narrowly missing their chance in Beijing 2022 by a mere 0.01 second during the qualifiers. Overcoming numerous challenges, including facing a call to military service after the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, the team remained committed to their goal.

Edelman, an MIT graduate, sacrificed much, even selling his bitcoin holdings to support his team. Despite living below the poverty line, he remained steadfast in leading the team over the past 12 years.

Throughout their journey, the team encountered numerous prejudices and adversities. For instance, they were denied accommodations in Germany on Christmas Eve due to their Jewish identity, faced derogatory comments, and even had a swastika drawn on their van.

Edelman shared his perspective on representing Israel amidst these challenges, emphasizing a mindset of victory rather than victimhood. He expressed sympathy towards those who committed the recent burglary and hoped for their betterment.

The team is determined to inspire the youth in Israel, showing them that even improbable dreams can be pursued. They playfully named their team “Shul Runnings,” inspired by the movie “Cool Runnings” about the Jamaican bobsled team.

Despite setting realistic expectations for their Olympic performance, aspiring only to rank in the top 20, Edelman believes their participation is significant. It demonstrates the potential for Israelis to compete in winter sports, a field historically challenging for the nation.

Edelman relays to his teammates that while individual names may fade, the legacy of their achievement – making it to the Olympics – will have lasting benefits, inspiring future generations. He acknowledges his own career’s end, but emphasizes that the team’s accomplishments will persist, influencing others long after they leave the Olympic stage.