Italian broadcaster apologizes after commentator calls to ‘avoid’ Israeli Olympic bobsleigh team

By Amy Spiro

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21 February 2026, 7:26 pm

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Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel

Israel's AJ Edelman (left) Menachem Chen, Uri Zisman and Omer Katz slide down the track during a four-man bobsleigh run at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, February 21, 2026. (AP/Aijaz Rahi)

Italy’s RAI public broadcaster apologizes after a commentator suggested on-air that they “avoid” any discussion of Israel’s Olympic bobsleigh team.

In a comment made off-camera earlier today ahead of the four-man bobsleigh event in Cortina, an Italian commentator says, “Let’s avoid crew 21, which is Israeli.” It is not clear if the remark was a “hot mic” comment not meant to air, or if the commentator intended to say it during the broadcast.

Marco Lollobrigida, the interim director of RAI Sport, issues a statement apologizing and promising to investigate the incident.

“The off-air remark that was broadcast before the four-man bobsleigh race at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on RAI 2 contained an unacceptable expression that in no way represents the values of public service broadcasting or of RAI Sport,” says Lollobrigida. “On behalf of the directorate, I extend sincere apologies to the Israeli athletes, the delegation, and all viewers. Immediate internal reviews have been launched to determine responsibility. Sport must unite, not divide.”

Giampaolo Rossi, the managing director of RAI, also issues an apology, saying that the incident runs “contrary to the principles of impartiality, respect and inclusion that must characterize public service broadcasting,” adding that a probe will be “aimed at initiating disciplinary proceedings.”

Last week, during the two-man bobsleigh team’s run, a Swiss commentator came under fire for using the entirety of the team’s run to berate captain AJ Edelman’s support of Zionism and Israel, and question if he should have been allowed to compete at the Olympics at all. Swiss broadcaster RTS later pulled the clip from its digital platforms, saying that while the commentary was “factual,” its “length” was not appropriate for a sporting event.

After the four-man bobsleigh team’s first two heats earlier today, Israel is in 24th place out of the 27 teams, after three of them crashed mid-course and did not finish the race. The final two heats will be held tomorrow.