Paolo Petrecca, director of the Italian sports channel Rai Sport, has resigned following a wave of criticism over his commentary during the opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Numerous factual errors and controversial statements sparked public outrage and a rebellion within the editorial team. Petrecca will leave his position after the conclusion of the Games, with Marco Lollobrigida temporarily taking over his duties.

Resignation after Olympic blunders

Paolo Petrecca is leaving Rai Sport after a series of embarrassing mistakes during the opening ceremony of the Milan Games.

Accusation of betrayal in the editorial office

The outgoing director posted a quote from the Gospel, suggesting he was betrayed by his own subordinates in the face of the crisis.

Personnel changes in the team

Alongside changes in television, Mauro Pini resigned, responsible for the results of Italian skiers in technical disciplines.

Paolo Petrecca, head of the sports editorial team at the Italian public broadcaster RAI, submitted his resignation to CEO Giampaolo Rossi. This decision is a direct consequence of the scandal that erupted following the broadcast of the opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Petrecca, serving as commentator, committed a series of glaring mistakes, such as confusing Italian actress Matilda De Angelis with American star Mariah Carey. Additionally, he mistakenly identified Kirsty Coventry, Chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission, as the daughter of the Italian president. Criticism also targeted inappropriate remarks about athletes from China and Spain, deemed xenophobic and sexist. The atmosphere at the Rai Sport editorial office became extremely tense after sports journalists threatened a three-day strike, calling the director's coverage "the worst humiliation" in the station's history. Petrecca, politically associated with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, bid farewell to staff in a controversial manner, quoting the Gospel of Matthew and suggesting he had been betrayed by colleagues. On social media, he posted an image of "Saint Matthew and the Angel" by Guido Reni, which the public interpreted as comparing his own situation to that of the biblical apostle. The Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo mark the first Winter edition of the event in Italy since the 2006 Turin Games. This event holds immense prestige for the Italian government, amplifying the significance of the national broadcaster's image failure.The duties of the Rai Sport director during the transitional period will be assumed by Marco Lollobrigida. Simultaneously, news arrived from the sports world regarding the resignation of Mauro Pini, coach of the Italian alpine ski team in technical disciplines. Pini resigned from his position following unsatisfactory results by his athletes during the Olympic competitions in Bormio, taking full responsibility for the sporting failure. „One of you will betray me.” — Paolo Petrecca3 days — of planned strike by Rai Sport journalists was announced in protestRai Sport Crisis Timeline: February 6, 2026 — Opening Ceremony; February 9, 2026 — Journalists' Rebellion; February 19, 2026 — Petrecca's Resignation; February 23, 2026 — Passing the BatonPost-Olympic Personnel Changes: Rai Sport Management: Paolo Petrecca → Marco Lollobrigida (interim); Alpine Ski Coach: Mauro Pini → Vacant / to be determined

Mentioned People

  • Paolo Petrecca — Former director of Rai Sport, central figure in the Olympic scandal.
  • Marco Lollobrigida — Journalist who will assume interim leadership of Rai Sport.
  • Mauro Pini — Coach of the Italian alpine ski team who resigned.