Australian sports presenter Danika Mason has issued an apology after footage of her appearing to slur her words during a live broadcast from the Winter Olympics in Italy spread rapidly across social media.
The Channel Nine reporter acknowledged she had “misjudged the situation” by consuming alcohol before going on air, accepting full responsibility for the incident.
Mason, who is well known for her National Rugby League coverage, made the admission during a subsequent appearance on the Today breakfast programme.
“I want to take full responsibility, it’s not the standard I set myself,” she stated, describing herself as “embarrassed” by what had occurred.
The incident attracted widespread attention, prompting even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to comment publicly.
During Wednesday’s live cross to the Today programme, Mason delivered a rambling report that left viewers bewildered.
She made peculiar references to iguanas and discussed coffee prices, telling the studio: “Literally like the price of coffee over here is actually fine, it’s more the price of coffee in the US that we’re gonna have to get used to.
Australian sports presenter Danika Mason has issued an apology after footage of her appearing to slur her words during a live broadcast from the Winter Olympics in Italy spread rapidly across social media
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“I’m not sure about the iguanas, where are we going with that one?”
Her eyes appeared glazed as she continued with her sports update, confusing the UK and the US while stumbling over her words.
Host Karl Stefanovic could be heard laughing throughout the segment, later offering an unprompted defence: “Look the cold weather is a thing, right. You can’t actually move your lips.”
Danika Mason works for Channel Nine in Australia
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Returning to the Today programme on Thursday morning, Mason addressed viewers directly after completing her sports report.
“I want to take a moment, if that’s OK, just to apologise,” she began, thanking those who had sent messages expressing concern about her wellbeing.
“I’m OK, probably just a little embarrassed,” she continued, before explaining the circumstances that had contributed to her state.
“Look, 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.”
Her colleagues rallied behind her, with host Jenny Azzopardi noting “we know how hard you work, Danika” whilst Stefanovic described her as a “legend”.
The viral clip divided opinion among Australian viewers, with reactions on social media ranging from supportive to scathing.
Danika Mason has been backed by the Australian Prime Minister
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“Good on her, nothing wrong with this. You can tell she’s having an absolute ball over there,” wrote one user on X, whilst another took a harsher view: “If it’s not a health issue, she should be sacked on the spot – very unprofessional.”
Prime Minister Albanese weighed in on Thursday, dismissing any suggestion of wrongdoing.
“Good on her. She’s over in Italy and she would have been tired,” he remarked, citing the time difference as a factor.
The Prime Minister declared himself “pro-Danika” and concluded: “Nothing to see here.”
