Australian Presenter Apologizes for Drinking Before Slurred Olympics Report
Saturday, 2026/02/21235 words3 minutes830 reads
Danika Mason, one of Australia's most distinguished sports journalists, has issued a public apology after footage of her delivering a noticeably impaired live report from the Winter Olympics in Italy circulated widely on social media, prompting commentary from figures as prominent as the Prime Minister.
The Channel Nine correspondent acknowledged that she had "misjudged the situation" by consuming alcohol prior to her live television appearance, while also citing contributing factors including altitude, cold weather conditions, and her failure to eat dinner beforehand. During the controversial broadcast on Wednesday, Mason exhibited slurred speech and made disjointed remarks about iguanas and coffee prices, prompting audible laughter from studio host Karl Stefanovic.
In a subsequent appearance the following day, Mason took full responsibility for the incident, stating: "I totally misjudged the situation, I shouldn't have had a drink, especially in these conditions, it's cold, we've got altitude, and not having had dinner probably didn't help as well. But I want to take full responsibility, it's not the standard I set myself."
The incident generated polarized responses across social media platforms, with some Australians defending the reporter and others questioning her professionalism. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighed in, characterizing himself as "pro-Danika" and suggesting jet lag as a potential contributing factor, while dismissing the controversy as inconsequential. Mason's colleagues on the Today show expressed support, with Stefanovic calling her a "legend" and co-host Jayne Azzopardi acknowledging her work ethic.
