A WINTER Olympics team had their apartment was broken into just weeks before the start of the Games.
As the Israeli bobsled team was preparing for the competition, they returned to their accommodation one day to discover their passports and personal belongings had been stolen.
The Israeli team returned to find their accommodation had been targetedCredit: X/realajedelman
Among the missing items were passports and other personal possessionsCredit: AP
The team believes thieves forced their way into their Airbnb while they were out training, before their planned travel to Italy.
The incident has since been reported and is now under investigation by local authorities.
Team captain Adam Edelman shared the shocking ordeal on X, revealing the extent of the loss.
“While training for the Olympics the @israelbobsled apartment was broken into during their training, thousands of dollars of stuff and passports stolen. What a season,” he wrote.
The haul taken by the thieves reportedly included passports, suitcases, competition gear and the team’s shoes – an enormous setback so close to the Games.
Despite the harrowing ordeal, Edelman praised his teammates for their resilience and determination.
“I have to say, the @israelbobsled Team is just a fine example of how we push forward in difficult circumstances,” he wrote.
“Such a gross violation and the boys headed right back to training today.
“I really believe this team exemplifies the Israeli Spirit.”
The team had been training in the Czech Republic ahead of the Winter Olympics and are making history as the first bobsled team from Israel to compete at the Games.
The group is the brainchild of Edelman, who serves as both captain and coach.
He previously represented Israel in the skeleton event at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
“Most Israelis don’t even know there is a winter Olympics,” he said, adding that representing his country marked the culmination of a decade-long dream.
That journey, however, has been far from easy.
Edelman initially struggled to secure sponsorship and was forced to fund equipment purchases out of his own pocket.
He also personally recruited and trained each team member – some of whom had never seen snow before – building the squad entirely from scratch.
His dream finally became reality in January, when Britain announced it would only be sending one team to the Games, opening up a spot for Israel.
Unfortunately, the Israeli team is far from the only Olympic squad to have fallen victim to theft in the past.
In July 2024, just days before defending his BMX title at the Paris Olympics, in a smash-and-grab robbery in Belgium.
Martin shared images on Instagram showing shattered glass after thieves broke into his team’s van, making off with his wallet and backpack.
The 30-year-old later admitted he felt fortunate his bikes were not inside the vehicle at the time.
The in a brazen flat-tyre scam that unfolded in a matter of moments.
According to reports, a man approached the team’s manager, Armand Darmadji, claiming one of their tyres was flat.
As Darmadji stepped out to inspect the vehicle, his bag – containing the team’s entire allowance for the Games – was snatched from the passenger seat.
The string of incidents has raised concerns about athlete safety as teams take part in one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
This is not the first time an Olympic has been the victim of theftCredit: AP
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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