From the Liveblog of
Monday, February 16, 2026
Israel’s two-man bobsleigh team in 26th spot ahead of finals
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAmy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel
Israel’s two-man bobsleigh team finishes its first two heats at the 2026 Winter Olympics in last place, with the final decisive heats scheduled for tomorrow.
The team, with pilot AJ Edelman and brakeman Menachem Chen, has a combined time of 1:54.60, putting it in 26th position, just behind the athletes from Trinidad and Tobago.
“The team did an amazing job… we’re the least experienced team here,” says Edelman in an interview with Israel’s Sport5 channel right after the race. “The team came together… we’re really impressed and proud.”
Chen says the team is “crazy excited, we know we’re on the biggest stage in the world, and that we’re representing the Jewish people, representing the State of Israel… every day we’re improving and we’re giving it 100%.”
The famed Jamaican team, immortalized in the 1993 film “Cool Runnings,” finishes the heats in 23rd place. The Israeli team has dubbed itself “Shul Runnings” in tribute.
Israel’s four-man bobsleigh team, also led by Edelman, is slated to compete on Saturday and Sunday. The 2026 Games represent the first time Israel has competed in bobsleigh at the Olympics, after Edelman’s six-year campaign to qualify the team.
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