Italian state broadcaster RAI has sent home two commentators Lorenzo Leonarduzzi, left, and Massimiliano Mazzucchifor, right, making offensive remarks of a sexist and racial nature during the World Aquatics Championships ©RAI

World Aquatics have welcomed a decision by the Italian state broadcaster (RAI) to suspend two of its commentators for making remarks of a sexual nature during the synchronised diving competition at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka.

Commentators Lorenzo Leonarduzzi and Massimiliano Mazzucchi had made comments of a sexual nature and are also understood to have made ethnic slurs against the Chinese divers, mocking their accents when speaking Italian.

The comments were made during a broadcast for the RaiPlay 2 streaming channel.

"World Aquatics fully supports Italian broadcaster RAI’s decision to suspend two journalists for their commentary during the World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka 2023," a World Aquatics statement said.

"World Aquatics has zero tolerance for sexism or discrimination in our sports, comments like these have no place in our society. 

"World Aquatics stands behind its athletes and is currently reaching out to the targeted individuals."

The RAI commentators were suspended for comments made during the synchronised diving at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka©Getty Images
The RAI commentators were suspended for comments made during the synchronised diving at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka©Getty Images

RAI chief executive Roberto Sergio revealed he had ordered a full investigation and instructed the channel’s head of sport to send the pair home.

He condemned the comments as "bar jokes," and insisted they had no place on public television.

In a letter to the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Leonarduzzi claimed he had not realised he was on air and insisted that his remarks did not reflect his true opinions.

RAI commentator Lorenzo Leonarduzzi has a history for making sexist and racist comments on air ©RAI
RAI commentator Lorenzo Leonarduzzi has a history for making sexist and racist comments on air ©RAI

Leonarduzzi had previously been censured for remarks containing sexual innuendo about a driver's name during the Monza Rally in 2020.

Corriere della Sera also reported that Leonarduzzi had been criticised for making a social media post on the anniversary of Adolf Hitler's birthday in 2018.

Earlier this year, Sky Italia suspended commentators after they had made sexist remarks about a young woman shown on screen during their coverage of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix.