Italian sports journalists from the public broadcaster Rai have announced a strike following a series of significant blunders made by their director, Paolo Petrecca, during the live broadcast of the opening ceremony of the upcoming Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics. Petrecca drew widespread criticism for misidentifying several prominent figures, including mistaking actress Matilda De Angelis for Mariah Carey and confusing IOC President Kirsty Coventry with the Italian president's daughter.

The situation escalated when journalists voiced their frustrations over these errors, which they deemed a serious embarrassment for the channel, calling it 'the worst humiliation of Rai Sport.' The strike is intended to protest against these blunders and highlight concerns about the leadership within Rai Sport that permitted such lapses during a global event of significant importance.

These events have revealed underlying issues within the management of sports broadcasting in Italy. The opening ceremony of the Olympics is a critical event for broadcasters, and the failure to represent this moment appropriately raises questions about Rai Sport's current direction and the professional standards expected within the organization. As the strike unfolds, it may lead to broader discussions about accountability and the future of sports journalism in Italy.