PARIS: An Israeli bobsleigher said on Tuesday he gave no “credence whatsoever” to the “diatribe” from a Swiss television commentator who had questioned the legitimacy of him competing at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The commentator on Swiss channel RTS said Adam Edelman’s supportive comments of Israel’s more-than-two-year bombardment of Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 70,000 people and the destruction of most of the territory’s infrastructure, should have resulted in him being barred from the Olympics.
“Edelman, first appearance at an Olympic Games, who defines himself and I quote ‘as a Zionist to the core’,” remarked the commentator, Stefan Renna, as Edelman and teammate Menachem Chen began their two-man bobsleigh run on Monday.
The commentator went on to tell viewers that Edelman had posted on social media “in favor of the genocide in Gaza. I remind you that genocide is the term used by the United Nations commission of inquiry.”
A commission mandated by the United Nations and several NGOs, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have accused Israel of perpetrating a genocide in Gaza.
Israel has responded by qualifying these claims as “lies” and “anti-Semitic.”
Renna also commented that Edelman had “said the Israeli military intervention was, I quote, the most morally justified war in history.”
He suggested Edelman should have been barred from the Milan-Cortina Games on the same basis that the International Olympic Committee refused to allow Russian athletes to appear if they had made pro-war remarks regarding their country’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Edelman was furious and hit back on his Instagram account.
“I am aware of the diatribe the commentator directed toward the Israeli bobsled team on the Swiss Olympic broadcast today,” he wrote.
“I can’t help but notice the contrast: Shul Runnings (the Israeli team’s nickname) is a team of 6 proud Israelis who’ve made it to the Olympic stage.
“No coach with us. No big program. Just a dream, grit and unyielding pride in who we represent.
“Working together toward such an incredible goal and crushing it. Because that’s what Israelis do.
“I don’t think it’s possible to witness that and give credence to this commentary.”
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said it was not for them to comment.
“In terms of specific comments by a commentator, that is a matter you have to refer to the broadcaster,” he said at the IOC daily briefing.
RTS had yet to respond to AFP’s request for a comment.
Israeli bobsleigher dismisses Olympics ‘diatribe’ by Swiss TV commentator
https://arab.news/2fxub
Israeli bobsleigher dismisses Olympics ‘diatribe’ by Swiss TV commentator
- The commentator went on to tell viewers that Edelman had posted on social media “in favor of the genocide in Gaza”
- Israel has responded by qualifying these claims as “lies” and “anti-Semitic“
Real Madrid lose second straight match and miss chance to close gap on Liga leader Barcelona
- Getafe held on to secure a historic win, its first at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, and a vital three points in its bid to stay in La Liga
MADRID: Real Madrid lost a second straight La Liga match when a stunning volley from Martín Satriano gave Getafe a shock 1-0 win at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Monday.
The result prevented the capital club from cutting the four-point gap to leader Barcelona.
Getafe had lost all eight of its previous league encounters with Real Madrid and early saves from goalkeeper David Soria kept it from falling behind.
Soria turned over a shot from Arda Güler midway through the first half, not long after frustrating Vinicius Junior when he was through on goal.
Madrid had more of the ball but lacked punch up front and it paid a price for its profligacy six minutes before halftime when Getafe took the lead.
A hopeful cross from the right was headed clear but it fell to the feet of Satriano, who volleyed into the roof of the net from 20 meters out.
It was the second goal in three games for the Uruguayan, who joined on loan from Lyon during the last transfer window.
Madrid continued to dominate possession in the second half and Antonio Rüdiger and substitute Rodrygo were among those who came close to grabbing an equalizer.
But it could not find a way past Getafe’s stuffy rearguard and an in-form Soria.
Madrid’s task became even harder when Franco Mastantuono was sent off for dissent in stoppage time and although the numbers were evened up in the last minute when Getafe’s Adrian Liso was also shown a red card it came too late to make any impact.
Getafe held on to secure a historic win, its first at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008, and a vital three points in its bid to stay in La Liga.
“Coming here is always very difficult,” Getafe defender Kiko Femenía told broadcaster DAZN. “We have to congratulate the team, we did a superb job at the back and we scored when had the chance. We might even have scored more on the counterattack.”
They jumped three league places into 11th and were eight points above the relegation zone.
