Точка Синхронізації

Sports journalists at the Italian state broadcaster, Rai, initiated a formal protest against Rai Sport director Paolo Petrecca following a series of high-profile blunders during the live broadcast of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony in February 2026. The staff's decision to revolt was triggered by Petrecca’s repeated errors, which they claim damaged the professional reputation of the national network and its seasoned sports department during a global event. The reporters expressed frustration that such significant mistakes occurred at the highest level of leadership during Italy’s hosting of the prestigious international games. The controversy began almost immediately after the broadcast launched, when Petrecca greeted the international audience by welcoming them to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, despite the ceremony actually taking place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. This initial geographic error was followed by a viral moment of confusion where the director mistakenly identified a prominent Italian actor as the American pop superstar Mariah Carey. These gaffes quickly became a source of ridicule on social media, leading to public embarrassment for the state-funded broadcaster and its editorial team. Petrecca, who was appointed to the head sports position in 2025, now faces a localized crisis of authority as the internal union representing Rai journalists demands accountability. The staff argues that the director’s performance during the Winter Games displayed a lack of preparation and expertise required for such a high-stakes cultural and sporting milestone. While Rai management has yet to issue a formal dismissal, the unrest highlights growing tensions between the broadcaster’s editorial leadership and the professional reporting staff regarding competency and the quality of national coverage.