Celebrity2 min(s) read
Mariah Carey Winter Olympics blunder causes journalists to go on strike
A series of significant errors by a senior commentator at the 2026 Winter Olympics has sparked an unprecedented strike by RaiSport journalists. The blunders, which included confusing celebrities and Olympic officials, have left the state-run broadcaster in a difficult position.
RaiSport’s reputation has been severely affected by these mistakes, leading to protests from its journalists.
On Monday, members of RaiSport’s union, the Comitato di Redazione, announced their decision to withhold bylines until the end of the Winter Olympics. The protest measures also include a three-day strike following the Games.
These actions come in response to commentary provided by Paolo Petrecca, the broadcaster's director, during the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Games.
Embarrassing mistakes during the opening ceremony
One of the most notable mistakes made by Petrecca was misidentifying Italian actress Matilda De Angelis as global superstar Mariah Carey. De Angelis, who is 25 years younger than Carey, humorously responded on Instagram, saying, "Please, call me Mariah."
The blunders didn't stop there; Petrecca also confused International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry with the daughter of Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella, who was present at the event.
Further embarrassing moments occurred when Petrecca referred to Rome's Stadio Olimpico, despite the event taking place in Milan’s San Siro stadium. These errors, compounded by a lack of preparation, deeply embarrassed the RaiSport staff.
Petrecca was not initially scheduled to commentate on the opening ceremony but replaced Auro Bulbarelli, who had been removed from the team after prematurely revealing the arrival of President Mattarella.
Strike action and further mistakes
The commentary blunders were compounded when Petrecca failed to recognize Italy’s world champion volleyball players during the torch relay. He only mentioned one female player and dismissed the remaining five as "other torchbearers."
Men’s volleyball captain Simone Giannelli later shared his disbelief on social media, posting a laughing-crying emoji alongside the comment, "Thanks to the commentators."
In response to the mistakes, the union body of RaiSport expressed frustration and disappointment. They stated, "We have all been embarrassed, no one excluded, and through no fault of our own. It is time to make our voices heard because we are facing the worst-ever figure of RaiSport in one of the most eagerly awaited events ever."
The strike is set to continue, and the impact of the commentary errors is likely to resonate throughout the Games.