The Italian sports media outlet RAI Sport is facing backlash from its journalists following inappropriate remarks made by its director, Paolo Petrecca, during the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Petrecca's comments included bizarre associations likening singer Matilda De Angelis to Mariah Carey and mislabeling the San Siro stadium as the 'Olympic Stadium.' More troubling were his remarks about Spanish and Chinese athletes, which drew criticism for being culturally insensitive, suggesting that Spanish athletes are 'always very hot' and implying that Chinese athletes frequently hold their phones in their hands.

In response to these comments, the RAI Sport journalists' union announced plans to withdraw their names from Olympic content and hold a three-day strike following the Olympics. They emphasized the need for their voices to be heard, stating they have suffered significant humiliation at the hands of Petrecca's management. The union called for recognition of the damage caused by the director's comments and urged the company to take responsibility for this embarrassment.

This development is significant not only for the internal dynamics at RAI Sport but also highlights broader concerns about the portrayal of athletes and cultural sensitivities in sports journalism. The upcoming strike may disrupt the coverage of Olympic events and reflects an increasing intolerance for inappropriate remarks within the media, emphasizing the need for professionalism in sports reporting.