Israeli Bobsled Team Finishes Last But Celebrates as "Victors"

AJ Edelman and Menachem Chen compete in Olympic bobsled for the first time, representing Israel despite long odds and financial challenges.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Israel competed in Olympic bobsled for the first time on Monday, with AJ Edelman and Menachem Chen finishing in last place out of 26 sleds in the two-man event. However, the Israeli team celebrated their participation, with Edelman saying "We are victors, not victims." Despite being the slowest team, the Israelis were thrilled to represent their country at the Winter Olympics.

Why it matters

Israel's presence in international sports has faced boycotts and backlash due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Israeli bobsled team's participation, led by Edelman who is believed to be the first Orthodox Jew to compete in the Winter Games, represents an important milestone for the country's representation in global athletic competitions.

The details

Edelman and Chen had the slowest starts and finishes in both of their two heats, finishing nearly five seconds behind the leader Johannes Lochner of Germany. However, the Israelis had no complaints, with Edelman saying "I've been to the Games before. It's not the greatest thing in the world, but it is the greatest thing in the world to see your country represented." Edelman, who also competed in skeleton at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, helped recruit a rugby player and three track and field athletes to fill out the Israeli bobsled team.

  • The Israeli bobsled team competed in the Olympic two-man bobsled event on Monday, February 16, 2026.
  • Edelman and Chen will get one more run in the two-man event on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
  • Edelman will lead the Israeli team in the four-man bobsled event later this week.

The players

AJ Edelman

A Boston native who became the first Israeli to compete in Olympic skeleton at the 2018 PyeongChang Games. He is leading the Israeli bobsled team and helped recruit other athletes to fill out the national team.

Menachem Chen

Edelman's teammate on the Israeli two-man bobsled team, competing in their first Olympic appearance.

Johannes Lochner

The German bobsledder who is leading the competition after the first two heats.

Jared Firestone

An Israeli skeleton athlete and attorney in South Florida who is competing at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“We are victors, not victims.”

— AJ Edelman

“I'm just here to make everybody watching proud, to represent not just Israel but all Jewish people around the world. That's what I'm here for. That's my message.”

— Jared Firestone, Israeli skeleton athlete (nbcnews.com)

What’s next

Edelman and Chen will need a mathematically impossible rally to get into the top 20 sleds and be assured of a fourth and final run in the two-man bobsled event on Tuesday.

The takeaway

Despite finishing in last place, the Israeli bobsled team's participation at the Winter Olympics represents an important milestone for the country's representation in global sports, especially given the ongoing challenges Israel faces with boycotts and backlash over the conflict in Gaza.