Canadian broadcast mistakes Australia’s Patty Mills for a woman at Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony

He might be one of Australia’s most famous athletes but apparently Patty Mills isn’t a big name in Canada.

That’s Patty short for Patrick not Patricia, mate.

In one of the biggest TV bloopers of all-time, a Canadian broadcaster mistook one of Australia’s most famous male athletes for a woman at Friday night’s opening ceremony.

The basketball veteran made history as he became Australia’s first Indigenous flag bearer, sharing the duty with swimmer Cate Campbell.

Flag bearers Cate Campbell and Patty Mills lead Australia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Although there were no screaming fans in Tokyo’s National Stadium, it will undeniably go down as a career highlight for the 32-year-old.

But a Canadian commentator’s awkward gaffe as Team Australia joined the Parade of Nations became the viral moment no one expected.
“And you know what, I think they had two women carry the flag. Cate Campbell the swimmer and Patty Mills the basketball player,” he said.

A collection of happy snaps from Patty Mills last night.

His colleague replied: “That’s how you do it, that’s how you do it.”

Oh Canada, maybe not.

Mills, who has spent more than a decade playing on Canada’s doorstep in the NBA, will lead the Boomers their opening game against Nigeria on Sunday evening at 6.20pm AEST.

Unfortunately for Canada, its men’s team didn’t qualify.

Put some respect on Patty Mills name. (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Originally published as Canadian broadcast mistakes Australia’s Patty Mills for a woman at Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony