Thieves Strike Israeli Bobsleigh Team

Israeli bobsleigh pilot AJ Edelman says his team’s apartment was robbed on Saturday, with thieves making off with passports and other items worth thousands of dollars.

Edelman, a former Olympic skeleton athlete, revealed the news in a series of social media posts, saying the team continued to train despite the police investigation.

Israel’s Olympic Debut

This is Israel’s first time competing in bobsleigh at the Olympics, after Great Britain gave up one of its spots. Edelman will drive both the two- and four-person sleds, with Menachem Chen, Ward Fawarseh, and Omer Katz joining him.

Edelman, who competed in the skeleton event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, is believed to be the first Orthodox Jewish athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics. Fawarseh is likely to be the first Druze Olympian.

The team’s participation comes at a sensitive time, with Israel facing boycotts and criticism over its actions in Gaza.