The Israeli Olympic Committee said Saturday it has barred the country’s bobsled team from competing in Sunday’s event after determining that team members attempted to substitute an athlete in violation of competition rules.
The matter has been referred to the International Olympic Committee, and Israeli officials said a thorough review will be conducted once the delegation returns from the Games.
According to details released by the Israeli Olympic Committee, the team sought to field alternate athlete Vared Puarsa in the competition. Under the rules, substitutions are permitted only if a team member is injured or ill.
To obtain approval, one of the athletes reported feeling unwell and was examined by a doctor. A medical document supporting the claim was submitted.
However, before the request was forwarded to the IOC, the athlete acknowledged to delegation officials that he was not injured and was fit to compete. The team was subsequently convened, and all members confirmed that the move had been planned in order to enable Puarsa to participate.
Delegation leaders and professional staff decided to immediately disqualify the team, citing, among other reasons, their unwillingness to provide inaccurate information to international authorities.
In a statement, the Israeli Olympic Committee said it had received information that members of the bobsled team had sought to replace one of the participants “in a manner that does not meet the standards expected of Olympic athletes and is not consistent with Olympic values.”
“As a result, a decision was made not to allow the bobsled team to compete tomorrow. A report on the matter was forwarded to the International Olympic Committee,” the statement said.
The committee added that a comprehensive review would be conducted after the team’s return and said the decision to impose the immediate suspension was made with the athletes’ agreement.
“The Olympic Committee of Israel views any deviation from the principles of fair play with severity,” the statement said. “We cannot accept conduct that is inappropriate and we unequivocally condemn such behavior.”
The Israeli team competed in two heats earlier Saturday and finished in last place.