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Swiss broadcaster pulls commentary questioning presence of Israeli bobsledder

Swiss broadcaster RTS stated it had pulled from its web site the commentary on an Olympic bobsleigh run through which one reporter questioned ‌at size the presence of an Israeli athlete in Milano Cortina due to his alleged help for Israel’s actions within the Gaza conflict.

The commentary on Radio Television Suisse was aired all through one of many runs of Israelis Adam Edelman and Chen Menachem within the two-man bobsleigh occasion in Cortina d’Ampezzo on Monday.

The commentator, Stefan ​Renna, stated Edelman had supported the actions of the Israeli navy ​within the Gaza battle and he advised that this breached the International Olympic Committee’s guidelines on political statements by athletes on the Games.

“Our journalist wished to question the IOC’s policy regarding ​the statements made by the athlete concerned,” RTS stated in a press release to Reuters.

The IOC stated on Tuesday that questions on particular person feedback made by commentators should be directed to broadcasters.

Renna stated in his commentary ⁠that Edelman outlined himself as a Zionist, posted messages on social media in favour of what Renna known as the genocide in Gaza and had mocked a “Free Palestine” inscription he had seen on a wall on the sidelines of a World Cup ‌race, amongst different issues.

“One can therefore question his presence in Cortina during these Games,” he stated, citing IOC guidelines on athletes’ navy connections and energetic help of conflict, together with via their actions on social media.

American-born Edelman, who the Times of Israel stated is the primary Orthodox Jew to characterize Israel on the ​Winter Olympics, posted on social media that he was conscious of Renna’s commentary, which he described as a “diatribe.”

“[We are] a team of six proud Israelis who’ve made ⁠it to the Olympic stage. No coach with us. No big program. Just a dream, grit, and an unyielding ⁠pride in who we represent,” he wrote. “I don’t think it’s possible to witness that and give any credence to ⁠the ⁠commentary.”