Eurosport commentator Bob Ballard has been removed from the broadcaster’s coverage of the Olympic Games for a sexist remark about Australia’s female swimmers.
The Australian women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team won the gold, and were making their way out of the Paris Aquatic Centre when the incident happened.
Ballard said, “Well, the women just finishing up. You know what women are like… hanging around, doing their make-up.”
Lizzie Simmonds, who was commenting alongside Ballard, described the comment as “outrageous.” She has yet to publicly go beyond that.
Compounding Ballard’s gaffe, Paris organizers have promoted the Olympics as “The Equal Games,” with women now 50% of participants.
A veteran of more than four decades in media, Ballard has covered swimming, diving, and water polo during his broadcasting career.
Eurosport shared a statement with the UK’s The Independent: “During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment. To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect.”
Day two about to rock and roll in the swimming in Paris – every race live on @discoveryplusUK and the best action on @eurosport with @LizzieSimmonds1 and my ‘good’ self. pic.twitter.com/UUsUACEbIu
— Bob Ballard (@bobballardsport) July 28, 2024
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