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NBC announcer Mike Tirico issued a quick apology on social media for misidentifying a flag used by France’s Mathias Lessort during the men’s basketball medal ceremony on Saturday.
“I simply want to acknowledge, as soon as possible, my mistake in misidentifying the flag of Martinique as the flag of Palestine during today’s men’s basketball medal ceremony,” Tirico wrote. “They are similar, but obviously very different, which is very important to everyone involved. I apologize for the mistake and will correct it during our primetime show tonight.”
I just want to acknowledge, as soon as possible, my mistake in misidentifying the flag of Martinique as the flag of Palestine during the medal ceremony in men’s basketball today. They are similar, but obviously very different, which is very important for everyone involved.
I apologize…
— MikeTirico (@miketirico) August 10, 2024
The flag Lessort was carrying on his shoulders was that of Martinique, an overseas territory of France located in the Caribbean Sea. However, Tirico said Lessort was carrying the flag of Palestine during the NBC broadcast.
“You saw Lessort, one of the backup centers, with the Palestinian flag on his shoulders,” Tirico said. Through a terrible announcement“We are certainly aware of any manifestations related to the conflict in the Middle East by athletes participating in these Games.”
NBC #Olympics Broadcaster Mike Tirico said it was a Palestinian flag displayed by French Olympic basketball player Mathias Lessort, but it is actually the flag of Martinique, a territory of France… image.twitter.com/0DwnEgjJUt
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) August 10, 2024
Given the current conflict between Israel and Hamas, it might have been natural to assume that some sort of political statement was being made. However, the flags of Martinique and Palestine are also quite similar, with a red triangle on the left and thick stripes extending across the rest of the symbol.
The key difference is that the Palestinian flag has black, white and green rectangles, while Martinique’s has green and black rectangles.
OMG, Mathias Lessort is carrying a Martinique flag (the French territory where he was born), but Mike Tirico thinks it’s a Palestinian flag image.twitter.com/2NSnKLxteP
—kiara (@kiaradidwhat) August 10, 2024
Many pointed out Tirico’s mistake on social media as soon as he said it during the broadcast. The veteran broadcaster issued his apologies within minutes of the mistake circulating online.
In a political situation so tense that it has brought deeply held emotions and beliefs into play on both sides, there are sure to be some who will still be upset by Tirico’s mistake and criticize him for it. But he immediately took responsibility, took steps to admit his inaccuracy, and professionally apologized in the most public setting possible until he did so in front of NBC cameras in prime time.
