'Israel' disqualifies its own Olympic bobsleigh team for faked illness

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Palestine

'Israel' disqualifies four-man bobsleigh team at 2026 Winter Olympics.
Athlete admitted faking illness to allow alternate to compete.

The Olympic Committee of 'Israel' has disqualified its four-man bobsleigh team from the final heats after one athlete admitted to falsely claiming illness.

The incident involved Uri Zisman, who allowed alternate Ward Fawarseh to compete in what would have been the Druze athlete’s first Olympic appearance. The team, led by US-born pilot Adam Edelman, had finished 24th in the early heats after suffering three crashes.

Edelman said on Instagram that with no realistic chance for a top finish, the team chose to give Fawarseh a historic Olympic debut. “We prioritized giving Ward this opportunity, we apologize, and we are proud of our pioneering run,” Edelman wrote.

The self-reported admission ensured fair play was maintained without external investigation, bringing 'Israel’s' first Olympic bobsleigh campaign to a close on a note of ambition and accountability.

Fawarseh, 30, became the first Druze athlete to compete for 'Israel' in bobsleigh, marking a milestone for representation in winter sports.

The team’s disqualification highlights the balance between athlete opportunity and strict adherence to Olympic rules, as officials upheld the integrity of competition while acknowledging the athletes’ transparency.