- Commentator for the Olympic Games has been removed from Paris events coverage
- Bob Ballard made a derogatory comment about female swimmers from Australia
- Eurosport acted promptly to exclude the commentator from their coverage
Eurosport commentator Bob Ballard has been dismissed from the broadcaster’s Olympic Games coverage following a sexist remark about Australia’s female swimmers.
After they won gold in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay, Australia’s team—Emma McKeon, Shayna Jack, Mollie O’Callaghan, and Meg Harris—was leaving the Paris Aquatic Centre.
At that moment, commentator Ballard remarked: ‘Well, the women just finishing up. You know how women are… lingering around, putting on their make-up.’
The clip of Ballard’s comment has since spread widely on social media, prompting Eurosport to take immediate action by removing him from their coverage.
A commentator has been removed for making a derogatory comment about Australia’s swimmers
Eurosport commentator Bob Ballard has been removed from the Paris Olympics
‘During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate remark,’ stated the broadcaster.
‘Therefore, he has been removed from our commentary team with immediate effect.’
Lizzie Simmonds, who was also providing commentary with Ballard, described the remark as ‘unacceptable.’
Ballard has not yet made a public declaration following the backlash his comment has generated online.
This controversy arises while Paris organizers have touted the event as ‘The Equal Games,’ coinciding with the IOC’s acknowledgment that women now represent 50% of all participants.
