Stefan Renna, a Swiss commentator on RTS 2, triggered controversy during a live broadcast by questioning why Israeli skeleton athlete Adam Edelman is permitted to compete internationally while publicly identifying as a “Zionist to the core” and expressing support for Israel during its military campaign in Gaza.

Renna referenced Edelman’s own public statements and social media activity, arguing that athletes who openly endorse state violence should face the same scrutiny and potential exclusion applied in other geopolitical contexts.

His remarks immediately drew backlash from pro-Israel commentators and organisations, who accused him of politicising sport and singling out an Israeli athlete.

Edelman has publicly described himself as a committed Zionist. This is a matter of record in interviews and public communications.

Edelman has used his platform to express support for Israel during the Gaza genocide.

International sport governing bodies, including the International Olympic Committee, have not banned Israeli athletes. Their current policy treats Israeli competitors as eligible to compete under the Israeli flag.

Transcript:

“Here is Adam Edelman, participating for the first time in the Olympic Games, who has defined himself as a Zionist to the core.

I caught him posting several messages on social networks in favour of the genocide in Gaza.

We remind you that genocide is the term used by the UN inquiry commission on the region.

Edelman said that the Israeli military intervention was “the most morally just war in history”.

He also mocked a “Free Palestine” inscription on a wall of the Lifehammer on the verge of a World Cup stage.

He asked his followers to send strength to Ward Farwarsay when this member of the Israeli team, who is present here in Cortina, was engaged in an Israeli army operation in the Gaza Strip in 2023.

We can therefore question his presence in Cortina during these games, since the CEU had indicated that athletes who have, I quote, “actively supported the war by participating in pro-war events, by being engaged militarily, or via their activities on their social networks, were not eligible for participation.”

That was in the case of Russian athletes.”