RAI Sport Director Paolo Petrecca Resigns After Olympic Opening Gaffes, Union Strike Ensues
Updated (2 articles)
Resignation announced amid Olympic fallout Paolo Petrecca submitted his resignation on 19 February, weeks after his on‑air blunders during the 6 February opening ceremony that reached an audience of 9.2 million viewers; he will leave the post at the Games’ conclusion and will not host the closing ceremony [1][2].
Broadcast errors sparked widespread criticism Petrecca misidentified actress Matilda De Angelis as singer Mariah Carey, confused President Sergio Mattarella’s daughter with IOC president Kirsty Coventry, welcomed viewers to the Stadio Olympico instead of San Siro, and named volleyball captain Simone Giannelli incorrectly; he also mishandled national flags and made stereotypical remarks about Brazilians, African “voodoo rites,” and Spaniards [1][2].
Union backlash triggered a short‑term strike The 120‑member Rai Sport newsroom, represented by Usigrai, issued a three‑day strike notice on 9 February, labeling the broadcast “the worst image ever given by RAI Sport” and demanding accountability and reforms [1][2].
Management reshuffle aims to restore credibility Rai reinstated former commentator Auro Bulbarelli for the closing ceremony and appointed Marco Lollobrigida as Petrecca’s successor; the resignation adds to a series of crises confronting the state broadcaster and fuels accusations of political interference by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government [1][2].
Critics link the fiasco to broader political pressure Observers revived the “TeleMeloni” label, arguing the gaffe reflects ongoing attempts by the Meloni administration to use RAI for partisan purposes, a narrative echoed across both French and British coverage [1][2].
Sources
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1.
Le Monde: RAI Sport Director Resigns After Opening‑Ceremony Gaffes at Milan‑Cortina Olympics: details Petrecca’s resignation on 19 Feb, outlines specific misidentifications, flag errors, and the journalists’ three‑day strike, emphasizing the broader crisis within Italy’s state media .
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2.
BBC: Italy’s Rai Sport chief Paolo Petrecca resigns after gaffe‑filled Olympic opening commentary: reports resignation, describes Petrecca’s last‑minute replacement role, lists the same on‑air mistakes and stereotypical comments, notes union condemnation, successor appointments, and links the incident to alleged government pressure on Rai .
Timeline
Feb 6, 2026 – Rai Sport airs the Milan‑Cortina Olympic opening ceremony with last‑minute commentator Paolo Petrecca, who misidentifies actress Matilda De Angelis as “Mariah Carey,” confuses IOC president Kirsty Coventry with President Sergio Mattarella’s daughter, welcomes viewers to the Stadio Olimpico instead of San Siro, and adds stereotypical remarks such as Brazilians “have music in their blood” and Spaniards are “always very hot,” prompting immediate viewer backlash and a 9.2 million‑viewer audience [1][2].
Feb 9, 2026 – The 120‑member RAI Sport journalists’ union Usigrai issues a three‑day strike notice, calling the broadcast “the worst image ever given by RAI Sport” and demanding accountability, with the statement urging the broadcaster to “make our voice heard” after the opening‑ceremony fiasco [2].
Feb 19, 2026 – Paolo Petrecca hands in his resignation as RAI Sport director, announcing he will leave at the Games’ end and will not host the closing ceremony; the union labels the episode a “serious blow” to the broadcaster’s image, former commentator Auro Bulbarelli is reinstated for the closing ceremony, and Marco Lollobrigida is named as Petrecca’s successor [1][2].
Feb 21, 2026 – RAI publicly confirms Petrecca’s resignation, reiterates the list of on‑air errors (including flag mishandling and the “dance in their veins” comment about Brazilians), and notes that the controversy revives accusations of government pressure on the state broadcaster, with critics dubbing it “TeleMeloni” [1][2].
Feb late 2026 (closing ceremony) – The upcoming Olympic closing ceremony plans to feature Auro Bulbarelli as commentator and positions Marco Lollobrigida to succeed Petrecca as head of RAI Sport, signaling an effort to restore credibility after the opening‑ceremony debacle [1].