Israel will send a delegation defined more by resolve than tradition to the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, which open on Friday, as nine Olympians and one Paralympian prepare to compete across snow and ice in northern Italy.
Far removed from Israel’s climate and sporting roots, the team arrives with realistic goals, quiet confidence, and a deep sense of responsibility.
Leading the delegation on the slopes are alpine skiers Barnabas Szollos and Noa Szollos, who return for their second Olympic appearance after competing in Beijing in 2022.
Barnabas, Israel’s most accomplished winter athlete to date, carries experience from multiple disciplines, while Noa continues to push boundaries after recently earning Israel’s first-ever World Cup points in alpine skiing.
Their presence symbolizes continuity and progress in a sport where Israel remains an emerging nation.
On the ice, figure skater Mariia Seniuk will make her Olympic debut, bringing technical polish and composure developed through international training. Seniuk, a four-time Israeli national champion, represents Israel in one of the Games’ most globally visible events and will also serve as a flagbearer during the opening ceremony.
Israel’s bobsleigh program reaches a historic milestone in Cortina, where driver AJ Edelman will be joined by Menachem Chen, Omer Katz, and Uri Zisman, with Ward Fawarseh serving as alternate. The team’s qualification caps nearly a decade of effort and introduces Israel to one of the Winter Games’ most demanding disciplines.
In skeleton, Jared Firestone fulfills a long pursuit of Olympic qualification. After narrowly missing out in 2022, Firestone arrives in Italy following a relentless season that secured Israel a spot in one of the Games’ fastest and most unforgiving events.
Israel's first cross-country skier
Another first comes through Attila Mihaly Kertesz, who will become Israel’s inaugural Olympic cross-country skier. A latecomer to elite competition, Kertesz’s journey reflects the unconventional paths that define much of Israel’s winter delegation.
Completing the team is Paralympian Sheina Vaspi, who returns to the Games after becoming Israel’s first Winter Paralympic athlete in 2022.
Medals may not be the benchmark, but representation, personal achievement, and national pride are. In Milano Cortina, Israel’s winter athletes will aim to leave a lasting impression – one run, skate, and slide at a time.