Australian sports presenter Danika Mason apologized on Thursday after drinking alcohol before a Channel Nine’s Today show live Winter Olympics broadcast. Mason slurred her words throughout the segment and went off-topic, discussing iguanas when the segment had been focused on coffee. Studio host Karl Stefanovic attempted to cover for Mason, saying that cold weather can affect speech.
“I want to take full responsibility, it’s not the standard I set myself,” Mason said on Thursday. “So in saying that, I’m genuinely really sorry and I’m thanking everyone for those messages I’ve received as well.”
Mason continued to add that she shouldn't have had a drink and the weather and not eating before did not help.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also continued to express his support for Mason.
“I’m pro Danika. Good on her,” Albanese said. “She’s over in Italy… and she would have been tired. It’s the time difference. It would have been having an impact. Nothing to see here”.