Israel’s four-man bobsled team was disqualified from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina after one of its athletes falsely claimed illness in an attempt to substitute a reserve competitor, officials confirmed on 23 February 2026.
According to the Israel Olympic Committee, the team sought a last-minute lineup change on the morning of competition. Under Olympic rules, substitutions are only permitted under strict medical or qualifying circumstances. Athlete Uri Zisman later admitted that inaccurate information was provided to justify the request, leading to the team’s immediate disqualification.
The attempted substitution would have allowed reserve athlete Ward Fawarseh to compete. Olympic authorities ruled that the illness claim did not meet the required criteria and determined that competition regulations had been breached.
The decision brought an abrupt end to Israel’s historic appearance in Olympic bobsleigh. Team pilot Adam “AJ” Edelman said the move was intended to give the alternate an opportunity to race, but officials concluded the justification was invalid.
The disqualification came just days before the Games’ closing ceremony, adding controversy to Israel’s Winter Olympics campaign.
