The Italian Democratic Party (Pd) found itself in hot water after trying to leverage Olympic curling athletes for a political message regarding a referendum. The party's initiative, led by Elly Schlein's secretary, aimed to promote a 'No' position, but it backfired when the featured athletes, Stefania Costantini and Amos Mosaner, publicly distanced themselves from the political messaging, emphasizing their commitment to sports over political stances. This situation has highlighted the ongoing tension between the center-right and the left, particularly in how sporting figures are perceived and used in political discourse.

The center-right coalition expressed outrage over what they viewed as an attempt to politicize the athletes and co-opt their image for partisan purposes. Following the athletes' disassociation from the party's message, the Pd issued a lengthy post in the early morning hours apologizing for the oversight, referring to their previous communication method as a 'meme' that was designed to be simple and humorous but clearly failed in execution. The controversy has sparked a larger discussion about the appropriateness of employing sports figures in political campaigns and the expectations surrounding their roles.

This incident has broader implications, particularly in how public figures navigate their identities as athletes and the pressures from political entities that seek to attach themselves to popular figures for credibility. The rapid removal of the video indicates a recognition by the Pd that public sentiment may not align with their strategy, showcasing the delicate balance that must be maintained between sports, politics, and public perception in Italy.