Swiss broadcaster RTS removes commentary accusing Israeli bobsledder of supporting genocide

The incident occurred during the broadcast of the bobsleigh competition at the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games. Commentator Stefan Renna from the French-language channel Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) focused on the political views of the pilot, Adam Edelman, during the Israeli pair's run. Renna described the athlete as a "zionist to the core" and accused him of supporting "genocide in Gaza." The journalist cited the athlete's social media posts, which allegedly legitimized the actions of the Israeli army. The recording quickly went viral on platform X, reaching millions of views. The station's reaction was firm, though ambiguous. While the recording was removed from the website, RTS initially defended the journalist's right to provide political context, while also emphasizing that the timeframe of a sports competition is not the ideal place for such analysis. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) distanced itself from the matter, stating that the selection of content by independent broadcasters is not within its purview. Adam Edelman himself became the central figure in a debate about the limits of free speech and Olympic neutrality. The principle of sport's apolitical nature dates back to the tradition of the ancient games, where a sacred truce, known as ekecheiria, was declared for the duration of the competitions. The modern Olympic Charter in Rule 50 prohibits any demonstrations of a political or religious nature at Olympic venues.„He is a man who openly supports the actions in Gaza, describing himself as a zionist to the core.” — Stefan Renna The case caused outrage among Jewish organizations and parts of the journalistic community, which accuse RTS of violating professional ethics standards. Critics point out that attacking an athlete during their most important career start is a form of a witch-hunt. On the other hand, supporters of Renna's actions argue that media silence on the public statements of athletes using the Olympic stage would be negligence. This incident fits into a broader trend of tensions surrounding Israel's presence at international events in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.