After the Israeli Olympic Committee decided Saturday that Israel’s bobsled team would not compete in Sunday’s event at the Winter Olympics, following an attempt to make a substitution in violation of the rules, the team issued an official statement responding to the incident.
In a post published on the team’s Instagram page, it wrote: “To all our fans and supporters, yesterday the team took its last run of Olympics competition. Given that our placement going into the final run was all but predetermined, it was more important to us that our alternate could have the opportunity to compete in the Olympics. The ream moved to make the replacement. But the circumstances under which we made the substitution did not meet the bar that allows a team to make a lineup change, and we withdrew from our final run."
“While we regret that the Games did not end for us the way we had hoped, we are proud of the history we made, of representing Israel and of opening the door to Israeli representation in this sport in the years to come. This is not just a team — it is a family.”
The statement concluded: “Thank you for taking part in this incredible journey with us, and for the love and support you have shown us along the way. Israel did it, and we are proud of the journey we shared with you. We look forward to seeing you again soon.”
As reported, the team sought to include alternate athlete Ward Fawarseh in the competition. Under the regulations, such a substitution is permitted only if one of the team members is injured or ill. To obtain approval, one athlete reported feeling unwell and was examined by a doctor, and a medical document was submitted in support of the request. The matter was referred to the International Olympic Committee, and a thorough review is expected in Israel once the delegation returns from the Games. The team competed in two heats on Saturday and finished in last place.
However, before the request was forwarded to the International Olympic Committee, the same athlete admitted to delegation officials that he was not injured and had been fit to compete. Following the admission, the team convened, and all members confirmed that it had been a planned move intended to allow Fawarseh to take part in the competition. The delegation leadership and professional officials made an immediate decision to disqualify the team’s participation, in part because they were unwilling to provide inaccurate information to international authorities.