Panel finds Swiss TV commentary on Israel’s Olympic bobsleigh team was ‘discriminatory’

Switzerland's broadcasting complaints authority ruled that a Swiss TV commentator's remarks about Israeli Olympic bobsleigh pilot Adam Edelman were discriminatory. The ICA upheld four complaints about RTS commentator Stefan Renna, who questioned Edelman's eligibility based on his social media support for the IDF during the Gaza war.

Switzerland's broadcasting complaints authority has ruled that a TV commentary questioning the legitimacy of an Israeli bobsleigh athlete competing at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics was discriminatory. The Independent Complaints Authority for Radio and Television (ICA) said it upheld four complaints about the commentary on Swiss French-language public broadcaster RTS concerning Adam Edelman. During Edelman's run on February 16, RTS broadcaster Stefan Renna quoted from the athlete's social media comments supporting the IDF during the Gaza war and suggested he should have been barred from the Games. The ICA found that the commentary conveyed a stigmatizing and discriminatory message, subjecting Edelman to unequal treatment compared to other athletes. Edelman called the commentary a "diatribe" and said he gave it no credence. Israel's embassy in Switzerland said it was "deeply appalled" and demanded an apology. The ICA will publish its written reasoning and requested measures to prevent further violations.