A broadcaster for a European Olympics network lost his position for comments made about the Australian women’s swimming team during the Paris Games on Saturday.
Bob Ballard, reporting for Eurosport at the Paris Summer Games, made a controversial remark about what “women are like” when commenting on the Australian team after their victory in the 4×100-meter freestyle.
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Emma McKeon, Shayna Jack, Mollie O’Callaghan, and Meg Harris of Team Australia celebrate their gold medal victory in the women’s 4×100-meter freestyle at the Paris Olympic Games on July 27, 2024, at Paris La Defense Arena in Nanterre, France. (Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
“Well, the women are just wrapping up. You know how women are … lingering around, doing their makeup,” Ballard said, according to the New York Post.
Lizzie Simmons, Ballard’s commentary partner, condemned his statement as “outrageous,” as reported by Deadline.
Following the incident, Eurosport removed Ballard from their Olympics broadcasting team.
“During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate remark,” the network stated, as noted by The Independent. “As a result, he has been taken off our commentary list with immediate effect.”
Mollie O’Callaghan of Team Australia gets ready to compete in the women’s 200-meter freestyle at the Paris Olympic Games on July 28, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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Ballard has yet to publicly address the controversy.
A veteran of Olympic coverage, he has also worked as a freelance broadcaster for the BBC.
Australia’s relay team, including Emma McKeon, Shayna Jack, Mollie O’Callaghan, and Meg Harris, claimed gold in Saturday’s 4×100-meter relay, surpassing the United States and China. The team established an Olympic record with a finishing time of 3:28.92.
Emma McKeon of Team Australia competing in the women’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay final at the Paris Olympic Games on July 27, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
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The U.S. team consisted of Kate Douglass, Gretchen Walsh, Torri Huske, and Simone Manuel, while China’s squad included Yang Junxuan, Cheng Yujie, Zhang Yufei, and Wu Qingfeng.
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