Journalists covering the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina are expressing their frustration after the RAI sports chief, Paolo Petrecca, made significant mistakes during the opening ceremony. This has led to calls for a strike from sports journalists at RAI, who are invoking the union's support for a three-day work stoppage planned after the ongoing Winter Olympics. The union has stated that the strike is a response to the poor management and controversial handling of the event.

In addition to Petrecca's mistakes, which have spurred outrage among his colleagues, the incident has wider implications for the media's portrayal of the Olympics and the credibility of RAI as a public broadcaster. Emotional reactions have been expressed, including by Olympic champion Raimund, who highlighted the significance of proper representation during such a prestigious event. Compounding the tension, a Ukrainian athlete was controversially barred from wearing a helmet adorned with images of deceased colleagues, which further emphasizes the complex social and emotional layers surrounding the Olympics.

As the events unfold in Italy, the situation not only raises questions about the governance within RAI but also about the representation of athletes' personal narratives during the Olympics. The strike, if carried out, could disrupt coverage of the competitions and may lead to public discussions about the expectations placed on sports journalists and broadcasters in delivering comprehensive and respectful coverage of Olympic events. The live blog continues to provide updates on these topics and athlete performances, marking an essential resource for Olympics enthusiasts and stakeholders alike.