Winter Olympics opening ceremony host sparks fury for misidentifying Mariah Carey, other blunders

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com.

An Italian Winter Olympics broadcaster who was on the mic for the opening ceremony before the Milan Cortina Games began last week faced immense backlash and a strike call for numerous blunders during the show.

RaiSport director Paolo Petrecca had a night to forget after misidentifying singer Mariah Carey, mistaking the Olympics’ chief as the Italian president’s daughter and confusing the location of the opening ceremony were among some of the things that distressed fans and, apparently, journalists at the company.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Mariah Carey performs at the Olympic opening ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (Andreas Rentz/Pool Photo via AP)

RaiSport journalists announced Monday that they would adopt protest measures, including strikes, once the Winter Olympics were over on Feb. 22.

A spokesperson for Rai, the Italian state-owned network that is broadcasting free-to-air coverage of its home Games, told The Associated Press that Petrecca was removed from commentary for the closing ceremony after meeting with CEO Giampaolo Rossi.

Petrecca welcomed viewers to Stadio Olimpico, which is located in Rome. The opening ceremony took place in the iconic soccer stadium, San Siro.

JAKE PAUL BREAKS DOWN IN TEARS AS FIANCÉE JUTTA LEERDAM SHATTERS OLYMPIC SPEEDSKATING RECORD

Italian actor Matilda De Angelis performs during the Olympic opening ceremony at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

"The show continues with Mariah Carey," Petrecca said as the camera panned to actress Matilda De Angelis. The actress took it in