Eurosport Drops Olympics Commentator Bob Ballard Over Sexist Remarks
Veteran sports commentator Bob Ballard was dismissed from Eurosport on Monday following controversial remarks made about the Australian women’s swim team. The incident occurred during the broadcast of the 4×100 meter freestyle relay at the Paris Olympics, where Team Australia secured a gold medal.
As the Australian swimmers celebrated their victory, Ballard commented on their perceived delay in leaving the Paris Aquatic Centre, saying, “Well, the women just finishing off. You know what women are like, hanging around, doing their makeup.” His co-host, former Olympian Lizzie Simmonds, immediately called out the comment, responding, “Outrageous, Bob. Some of the men are doing that as well.”
Eurosport, the European pay-TV network responsible for the Olympic broadcast, swiftly responded to the incident. In a statement, the company confirmed Ballard’s removal from their commentary team, effective immediately. “We can confirm that Bob Ballard has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect,” the statement read.
Ballard, who has a long-standing career in sports commentary and also works as a presenter for BBC Local Radio, issued an apology on social media. “The comments I made during the Australian freestyle relay victory ceremony on Saturday have caused some offence. It was never my intention to upset or belittle anyone, and if I did, I apologise. I am a massive advocate of women’s sport,” he wrote. He also expressed his regret over leaving the Eurosport team, wishing them well for the remainder of the Olympics.
The swift action by Eurosport and Ballard’s subsequent apology highlight the ongoing sensitivity and scrutiny around gender-related comments in sports media.
