Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Thursday, February 19, 2026 9:58 p.m. / Updated Thursday, February 19, 2026 10:10 p.m.
Australian sports reporter Danika Mason (34) has apologized after appearing under the influence of alcohol during a live broadcast of the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Danika Mason went live on Australia's Channel Nine, the broadcaster she works for, and gave a rambling speech. Her live quickly went viral on social media for the topics covered: the price of coffee and iguanas, and then nonsense about Olympic athletes. Later, Danika even made “angels” in the snow deposited in Milano Cortina.
Danika Mason apologizes after broadcasting from Olympics under the influence of alcohol: 'I misjudged the timing'
“I want to take a moment to apologize, if that's OK, because I want to apologize. I want to thank those who contacted me. I'm ashamed. I misjudged a situation. I shouldn't have been drinking, especially under these conditions. It's cold, we're at altitude, and the fact that I hadn't eaten dinner didn't help.
I take full responsibility. It's not the standard I set for myself. I am very sorry and I apologize. Thank you for the messages of support I have received.
We've got a couple of great days left at the Winter Olympics and I hope we turn our attention to that,” Danika Mason told abc.net.au.
VIDEO. The intervention of the journalist from Australia, under the influence of alcoholic beverages live on TV: “I don't know what to say about iguanas…”
Social media has lit up with speculation after popular Channel 9 sports and rugby league host Danika Mason appeared on morning television struggling to get her words out while covering the Winter Olympics in Italy.
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“The price of coffee here is really good. We'll have to adjust to the price of coffee in the US. I don't know what to say about iguanas… What's the direction of the discussion? Let's get back to sports,” said Danika Mason, slurring her words.
Karl Stefanovic, the presenter of the TV show, momentarily did not understand what her colleague from Milano Cortina wanted to say and tried to find an excuse for her, according to The Sun: “When you get out of a car there and there is such a strong wind, it is very difficult to move your lips properly to speak.”
Fans did not forgive the intervention of the Australian and immediately charged her on social networks: “I think she got a little drunk”, “If it is not a health problem, she should be fired immediately”, “Very unprofessional”.
