Channel Nine sports presenter Danika Mason has appeared to slur her words on morning television during a live Winter Olympics report.
Footage of Mason’s live cross went viral on Wednesday morning as she stumbled over words while reporting on the games from Livigno, Italy.
During the broadcast, Today hosts Karl Stefanovic and Jayne Azzorpardi crossed to Mason before she began to ramble while speaking about the price of coffee.
“I don’t know how to respond to that one… the price of coffee over here is actually fine … it’s actually the price of coffee in the US we have to get used to… I’m not sure about the iguanas? Where are we going with that one?” Mason asked as she appeared to lose track of the conversation.
“Anyway, let’s get into today’s sport because there’s plenty happening back home.”
Moments later, Mason was distracted by the snow surrounding her, as she remarked: “Guys, this is so tempting… I’ve been eyeing off a snow angel, all day.”
The sports presenter knocked off some snow from a branch before diving in and making snow angels for the camera.
Stefanovic and Azzorpardi appeared to excuse the awkward broadcast by suggesting the cold weather was making it difficult for Mason to speak, and fellow host and former US correspondent Alison Piotrowski had also experienced this problem.
“Ally, you would have been familiar with this,” Stefanovic said.
“You get out of a car over there (in Italy) and there is such a cold wind, you can’t actually move your lips.”
A Channel Nine personality told the Daily Telegraph they were surprised Mason was allowed to continue the broadcast and was not cut off either by producers or hosts Stefanovic and Azzorpardi.
“Even if producers didn’t cut her off, Karl and Jayne have been in this game long enough to know she should not have been on air,” the source, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
“There’s an entire control room of staff who could have cut her from the broadcast.”
Channel Nine viewers were quick to comment on the broadcast as one person joked Danika was a “bit under the weather”.
“Lol Karl, Sarah and Jane passing off Danika as being cold and it’s difficult to speak. Most entertaining sports news for the year so far!” another remarked.
“Danika’s sports reports this morning have literally made my day! Thanks Danni,” another added.
SkyNews.com.au has contacted Nine for comment.