Open in App
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Newsletter
  • New York Post

    NBC’s Mike Tirico apologizes for Martinique-Palestine flag blunder during Olympics medal ceremony

    By Ethan Sears,

    4 hours ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1nxhhp_0uugDAUa00

    see also

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2uWZbd_0uugDAUa00 Team USA won 126 medals at the Paris Olympics — see how each was won

    Mike Tirico made a mistake, and quickly rectified it.

    The NBC announcer offered a fast apology on social media after misidentifying Martinique’s flag as Palestine’s during the gold medal ceremony for men’s basketball in Paris.

    A’ja Wilson calls Kahleah Copper ‘that bitch’ after Olympic heroics

    France’s Mathias Lessort, who was born in Martinique — a French territory — had the island’s flag draped around his shoulders while accepting silver after losing the final to Team USA.

    “You saw with Lessort, one of the backup centers, the Palestine flag draped over his shoulders,” Tirico said on NBC. “We are certainly conscious of any displays regarding the Middle East conflict from athletes involved in these games.”

    While the two flags have similar white, green and black color schemes, Tirico mixed them up — and given the obvious sensitivity at play over the Middle East, apologized just minutes later.

    Olympic boxing champ Imane Khelif files complaint for online harassment over gender controversy

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0NMfu4_0uugDAUa00
    France’s Mathias Lessort had the flag of Martinique draped around his shoulders Saturday. Getty Images
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4ZkDlc_0uugDAUa00
    Mike Tirico, pictured on July 26, apologized for his mistake. USA TODAY Sports

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR STARTING LINEUP NEWSLETTER

    “Just acknowledging, as soon as possible, my error for misidentifying the Martinique flag as the flag of Palestine during the medal ceremony for Men’s Basketball today,” Tirico wrote on X. “They are similar but obviously distinctly different which is quite important for all involved.

    “I apologize for the error and will correct on-air during our primetime show tonight.”

    The fast apology did seem to rectify what could have become a messy situation, as most of the response to Tirico’s apology was lauding him for owning the error as opposed to criticizing the mistake itself.

    Team USA beat France, 98-87, in a memorable gold medal match , with Steph Curry hitting four 3-pointers in the game’s last 2:43 to seal the victory for the Americans.

    For the latest in sports, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/sports/

    Expand All
    Comments / 0
    Add a Comment
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Most Popular newsMost Popular

    Comments / 0