Paolo Petrecca, the head of Rai Sport, Italy's national sports broadcaster and the nation's equivalent to the BBC, has resigned following a significant public outcry over his commentary during the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Colleagues staged a strike in response to his remarks, leading to further deterioration of the situation and ultimately his departure from the role.
A Ceremony Tarnished by Commentary Errors
The opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, intended as a moment of national pride for Italians, was overshadowed by a series of errors and perceived offensive remarks made by Paolo Petrecca during his live commentary. These missteps, which went viral, are cited as the primary cause for the widespread backlash and subsequent resignation.
"His tenure will end at the end of the Games, and he will not be commentating on the closing ceremony."
Evidence of Commentary Issues
Reports indicate several specific instances that fueled the controversy:
Incorrectly identifying attendees: Petrecca reportedly welcomed viewers to the wrong stadium, mistaking the San Siro for the Stadio Olimpico. He also misidentified singer Mariah Carey, initially believing it to be Italian actress Matilda De Angelis, before correcting himself. During the entrance of Italian President Sergio Mattarella and IOC President Kirsty Coventry, Petrecca referred to Mattarella's companion as his "daughter."
Journalist protest: Journalists from Rai Sport announced protest measures, including strikes, following Petrecca's "blunder-strewn commentary." The internal union body, the Comitato di Redazione, issued a statement declaring that all reporters and commentators would withhold their bylines until the end of the Winter Olympics, with planned strikes occurring afterward.
Broader Context of Olympic Broadcasting Challenges
While the immediate cause for Petrecca's resignation stems from his specific commentary, other broadcasters have also faced viewer dissatisfaction during the Winter Olympics.
Read More: BBC Winter Olympics Viewers Complain About Missed Live Action and Technical Problems
BBC Coverage Draws Criticism
The BBC, the UK's national broadcaster, has also encountered significant viewer criticism for its Winter Olympics coverage. This has included:
Irrelevant content: Viewers expressed frustration, questioning whether they were watching the Winter Olympics at all due to the perceived focus on unrelated topics, particularly football.
Commentary errors: Specific incidents of commentator blunders have been reported. For instance, one commentator reportedly mistook the national anthem "God Save the King" for "God Save the Queen" after a medal ceremony.
Disruptions during events: Some viewers complained about broadcasts switching away from live events, such as an ice hockey match, without explanation.
Interrupted reporting: A BBC reporter apologized live on air for cutting off a discussion with a veteran broadcaster, Hazel Irvine, during a segment on men's alpine skiing.
Expert Analysis and Public Reaction
The events surrounding Paolo Petrecca's resignation highlight the delicate balance broadcasters must maintain during high-profile international events.
"His gaffe-ridden commentary of the event went viral and became a national embarrassment, it signalled the end of his broadcasting career."
The swift action taken by Rai Sport journalists, including a strike, demonstrates a strong internal reaction to perceived professional lapses that negatively impact the broadcaster's reputation and public trust.
Conclusion and Implications
The resignation of Paolo Petrecca from Rai Sport underscores the significant impact of public perception and professional conduct on individuals in high-visibility broadcasting roles. The events surrounding the opening ceremony commentary have led to substantial organizational disruption, including a strike by journalists. Concurrently, other broadcasters, such as the BBC, have faced their own challenges with viewer feedback regarding coverage quality. These incidents suggest a heightened level of scrutiny from audiences during major sporting events, where accuracy and appropriateness of commentary are paramount.
Read More: Switzerland Women's Hockey Team Wins Bronze Medal at Milan Cortina Games on February 19 2026
Sources:
Express.co.uk: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/2173245/Winter-Olympics-BBC-Paolo-Petrecca - Focuses on the resignation and the strike action by colleagues.
BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1jkx7yg9p6o - Details the specific commentary errors and their viral nature.
AP News: https://apnews.com/article/television-mistakes-opening-ceremony-olympics-8afe50e73fc189a1274cff87ae3c6c31 - Reports on the journalists' planned strikes and provides examples of Petrecca's blunders.
Daily Star: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/tv/bbc-commentator-forced-apologise-after-36727412 - Discusses a separate incident involving a BBC commentator and a missed sporting moment.
TYLA: https://www.tyla.com/news/olympics-viewers-outraged-bbc-commentator-blunder-921114-20240809 - Highlights a BBC commentator's error regarding a national anthem.
Daily News Today 247: https://dailynewstoday247.com/thien6/viewers-fume-bbcs-ridiculous-winter-olympics-coverage-sparks-furious-backlash/ - Covers general viewer dissatisfaction with BBC's Winter Olympics coverage.
Express.co.uk: https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/2167928/bbc-backlash-winter-olympics-viewers - Details viewer backlash against BBC's opening coverage, questioning the choice of commentators.
Express.co.uk: https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/2170950/bbc-winter-olympics-pathetic-coverage-causes-uproar-among-viewers - Reports on viewer uproar over "pathetic" BBC coverage and specific complaints about broadcast interruptions.
The Sun: https://www.the-sun.com/sport/15949127/bbc-reporter-apology-interrupting-hazel-irvine-winter-olympics/ - Documents a BBC reporter's apology for interrupting a colleague during live coverage.
