Sports Announcer: Sorry for Drinking Before Going On Air

An on-air stumble from the Winter Olympics has turned into a national talking point in Australia, and now a public apology. Channel 9 sports reporter Danika Mason says she "misjudged the situation" by having a drink before a live broadcast from Italy, after a clip of her slurred report from Wednesday—complete with rambling mentions of iguanas, the price of coffee, and mix-ups between the US and UK—ricocheted across social media, per the BBC. The Guardian notes that Mason also dropped to the ground at one point to make snow angels.

Mason returned to the Today show the next day to say she was "embarrassed," stressing she was fine but taking "full responsibility," while also citing the cold, altitude, and an empty stomach, per the BBC. Reaction online ranged from viewers praising her for having fun to others calling the segment unprofessional. Her colleagues publicly backed her, with co-host Karl Stefanovic calling her a "legend," while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighed in from Canberra. The PM described himself as "pro-Danika," attributing her performance to tiredness and time zones and adding, "Nothing to see here."