Australian television reporter Danika Mason has apologized for drinking before a live segment during which she appeared to slur her words while reporting at the Winter Olympics.
During the Feb 18. broadcast on Channel Nine’s “Today” show, Mason appeared to struggle through parts of her report and veered off topic, mentioning “iguanas” while discussing coffee prices.
“Literally like the price of coffee over here is actually fine,” she said during the segment. “It’s more the price of coffee in the U.S. that we’re gonna have to get used to. I’m not sure about the iguanas. Where are we going with that one?”
After the segment, “TODAY” host Karl Stefanovic tried to deflect from her comments, suggesting to viewers that cold conditions can sometimes affect speech. However, Mason’s slurred delivery immediately drew attention online.
The next day, Mason issued an on-air apology to viewers and acknowledged she had a drink before the broadcast, “the cold, we’ve got altitude, not having had dinner probably didn’t help as well.”
Mason said she was “taking full responsibility” for her actions.
“It’s not the standard I set myself. So in saying that, I’m genuinely really sorry and I’m thanking everyone for those messages I’ve received as well.”
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later defended Mason during an interview on the radio show “Jase & Lauren.” He said she was likely tired and affected by the time difference while working in Italy, adding that there was “nothing to see here.”
U.S. freestyle skier Nick Goepper is known to put on a pair of jeans to ski his halfpipe runs.