American Olympian Adam Edelman Champions Team Israel While Discussing Antisemitism and Trump’s Stand

American Olympian Adam Edelman Champions Team Israel While Discussing Antisemitism and Trump’s Stand

Team Israel Olympic bobsledder Adam Edelman aims to guide his team back to the Winter Games for the first time since their participation in Pyeongchang 2018. His journey reflects not only athletic ambition but also a personal resolve amid the challenges facing his homeland.

Qualifying for the upcoming Cortina-Milan games in 2026 would signify a significant milestone for Edelman and his teammates since they missed the chance to compete in Beijing in 2022. This event also happens after their country faced turmoil following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.

“On October 7, when the attacks happened, we had a team prepared to compete. Every member was called to serve their country, which drastically changed the dynamics of our team in the last couple of years,” Edelman shared in an interview with Fox News Digital.

He reflected on the difficult shift in team dynamics post-October 7, adding that their primary focus became survival amid the crisis.

Edelman, passionate about his sport, has endured significant financial sacrifices. Having lived below the poverty line while dedicating over a decade to bobsledding, he recalls selling all his bitcoin holdings, which he believes could have made him a millionaire today. “It was all expended on bobsledding,” he stated, lamenting the lost potential wealth.

The choice to represent Team Israel instead of competing for his native Team USA has not been an easy one. Edelman, a graduate of MIT from Massachusetts, acknowledges the advantages he could have received through Team USA, especially in a resource-heavy sport like bobsledding, often dubbed ‘Formula 1 on ice’ due to its high costs.

Nevertheless, for Edelman, ensuring that his participation symbolizes something greater than just personal success takes precedence. “I would contribute nothing to the United States. Joining them would primarily advance my journey and would not add value to others’ experiences,” he explained.

“My mission is to leverage the gifts I’ve been given to positively influence others. This sense of purpose drives my commitment to represent Israel,” Edelman reflected.

In spite of his dedication to Team Israel, Edelman identifies as a proud American. He regards the U.S. as a pivotal force for good throughout history. As a Jewish American, he feels particularly gratified witnessing former President Donald Trump’s efforts against the rise of antisemitism that followed the tragic events of October 7.

Edelman recounted his experiences observing the tensions first-hand during pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University in 2024, highlighting the urgent need for responses against rising antisemitism on college campuses.

During his presidency, Trump took steps to freeze billions of dollars in funding for Ivy League institutions such as Columbia and Harvard, citing civil rights violations due to antisemitic protests. Trump’s administration also instituted a Justice Department task force to address these critical issues.

Under this framework, Edelman lauded the Trump administration for enforcing the law and protecting marginalized students. “What they are doing is simply enforcing the law. These individuals deserve protection under civil rights legislation,” he stated.

In April, Trump’s administration announced investigations into civil rights violations that led to funding cuts affecting universities like Cornell, Northwestern, and possibly Brown. These actions stemmed from rising antisemitic incidents in higher education settings, leading to serious implications for institutional funding.