A handful of diverse athletes — a pole-vaulter, sprinter, shot-putter, rugby player, and former Olympian in skeleton — will compete as Israel's first bobsled team during this year's Milan Cortina Winter Games, unlikely ambassadors of their diplomatically isolated nation.

Israel's Olympic team walked into the stadium during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on Friday to a smattering of boos, while U.S. Vice President JD Vance received a similar reception at what had otherwise been an upbeat and festive celebration of the global winter sports extravaganza.

Israel is sending nine Olympians and one Paralympian to the Milano Cortina Games, with modest aims of setting new Israeli records and proudly flying the flag of the Jewish state

Team captain AJ Edelman opens up about creating Israel’s first Olympic bobsled team for the Milano Cortina Games.

Meet the Szollos siblings, Team Israel's skiing stars making history at the 2026 Winter Olympics with impressive achievements.

By Karolos Grohmann and Rory Carroll MILAN, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Israel's Olympic team walked into the stadium during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on Friday to a smattering of boos,

Jewish and Israeli athletes enjoyed historic success at the most recent Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024, with a combined 36 athletes taking home 31 total medals between the two competitions. Israel’s seven Olympic medals were the country’s most in a single tournament.

In Milano Cortina, Israel’s winter athletes will aim to leave a lasting impression – one run, skate, and slide at a time with nine Olympians and one Paralympian competing.

The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are underway after the lighting of the Olympic cauldrons and the Parade of Nations at the opening ceremony.