Eurosport commentator Bob Ballard had to be removed from his post during Olympics coverage after making a sexist remark.
Australia’s women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team, including Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon, and Meg Harris, had just had a wonderful moment where they secured gold when Ballard decided to give his two cents.
A clip of his Paris 2024 commentary, alongside Lizzie Simmonds, soon went viral on social media, sparking outrage as Bob Ballard could be heard saying: “Well, the women just finishing up. You know what women are like… hanging around, doing their make-up.”
Eurosport wasted little time taking action and removing the broadcaster from his duties, with a statement reading: “During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment, per The Independent.
Bob Ballard hang your head in shame and get off the broadcast and back to the 1930s
Commentating for EuroSport he’s used a sexist slur as the Aussie women RIGHTLY celebrated together
“The women just finishing up. You know what women are like, hanging around, doing their make-up” pic.twitter.com/JRpsLUc15m— Emily Benammar (@EmilyBenammar) July 28, 2024
“To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect.”
According to the Daily Mail, Ballard’s commentary partner, Lizzie Simmonds, called the comment “outrageous.”
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
Bob Ballard has yet to comment on or apologize for what he said. However, he did take to X to wish Eurosport’s Laura Winter luck ahead of Sunday night’s session in the pool.
The longtime Olympic commentator has been on call for swimming, diving, basketball, hockey, and cricket, among other sports.
Commentator Bob Ballard Coming Back to Call The Paris Olympics is in Doubt
Eurosport commentator Bob Ballard was promptly 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 as they made their way out of the Paris Aquatic Centre, Ballard said, “Well, the women are just finishing up. You know what women are like… hanging around, doing their make-up.”
Now that he has been removed from coverage, it is unclear whether he will come back for the 2024 Paris games.
