Israeli Bobsled Team's Training Apartment Burglarized Weeks Before 2026 Winter Olympics
In a disruptive incident just weeks before the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, the apartment used by Israel's pioneering bobsled team was burglarized, resulting in the theft of significant valuables including passports and cash. The team's pilot, AJ Edelman, confirmed the break-in occurred on Saturday, creating an unexpected hurdle for the athletes as they prepare for their historic Olympic debut.
Stolen Items Include Passports and Thousands in Cash
According to Edelman, who previously competed for Israel in skeleton at the 2018 Winter Olympics, the burglars made off with "thousands of dollars of stuff and passports." The stolen items reportedly included not only cash and travel documents but also personal belongings such as suitcases, shoes, and training equipment. While Edelman didn't specify the exact location of the apartment, evidence suggests it may be in the Prague area of the Czech Republic based on a photo he shared showing police investigation materials.
Team Maintains Focus Despite Setback
Remarkably, the six-person squad has maintained their competitive spirit despite the violation. Edelman emphasized that the team remains in "great spirits" as they continue training abroad. The coach and Olympic alternate, Itamar Shprinz, was present at the location when the robbery occurred, though Edelman himself was already in Italy preparing for the upcoming competitions.
"Such a gross violation — suitcases, shoes, equipment, passports stolen, and the boys headed right back to training today," Edelman wrote in a follow-up social media post. "I really believe this team exemplifies the Israeli Spirit."
Historic Journey to Olympic Qualification
The burglary represents just the latest challenge for a team that has overcome significant obstacles to reach the Olympics. After failing to qualify for the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, Edelman and Israeli rugby player Ward Fawarseh refocused their efforts toward the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. Their determination was tested further when the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel created additional personal and logistical challenges for the athletes.
Despite these difficulties, the team continued training with renewed purpose, eventually qualifying for the Games last month in Lake Placid, New York. The squad represents a diverse group of Israeli athletes including shot-putter Menachem Chen, sprinter Omer Katz, pole vaulter Uri Zisman, and crossfitter Itamar Shprinz.
Competition Schedule and Team Resilience
The Israeli bobsled team is scheduled to compete in the two-man event on February 16-17, followed by their premier four-man competition on February 21-22. Edelman expressed that representing Israel has always been "the greatest honour" for him, and recent events have only strengthened his resolve. The team's ability to immediately return to training after the burglary demonstrates their commitment to making history as Israel's first Olympic bobsled team.
As investigations continue into the apartment burglary, the athletes remain focused on their Olympic preparations, determined not to let this setback derail their dream of competing on the world's biggest winter sports stage.
