Winter Olympics: Hilarious Gaffes by Italian Commentator at Opening Ceremony

The numerous blunders, which included incorrectly identifying celebrities and Olympic officials, have deeply embarrassed everybody at the state-owned broadcaster.

Paolo Petrecca

Among Paolo Petrecca’s many mistakes, he welcomed viewers to the "Stadio Olimpico" - a massive arena in Rome - despite being 300 miles further north inside Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium. Really, you couldn't make it up.

He then went on to misidentify Italian actress Matilda De Angelis for global superstar Mariah Carey, who is 25 years her senior. Ms De Angelis later posted photos of the ceremony to Instagram with the caption: "Please, call me Mariah."

But there's more. He incorrectly identified International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry (the first ever female President of the IOC) as the daughter of Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who was walking alongside her.

Later, he failed to recognize Italy’s male and female volleyball teams. Both are world champions, and the women are also the reigning Olympic champions. Representatives from both carried the Olympic flame toward the end of the ceremony. “Thanks to the commentators,” men’s captain Simone Giannelli commented on a post on Instagram, followed by three laughing-crying emojis.

Unsurprisingly, everyone at RaiSport was appalled. The channel’s Comitato di Redazione - the internal union body that represents its journalists - issued a statement that all reporters and commentators would withhold their bylines until the end of the Winter Olympics, and that there would be three days of strikes after the Games. The broadcaster's union said: "We have all been embarrassed, no one excluded, and through no fault of our own. It is time to make our voices heard because we are facing the worst-ever figure of RaiSport in one of the most eagerly awaited events ever."