Veteran commentator Bob Ballard has been dismissed from his Olympics role with Eurosport following a sexist remark he made about the female Australian swimmers following their gold medal win.
As the 4x100m freestyle relay team comprising Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris was making its way off the pool deck in Paris, Ballard said they were “finishing up”, adding “you know what women are like… hanging around, doing their make-up”.
The clip quickly went viral and broadcaster Eurosport later said he had been removed from the commentary line-up.
Eurosport later said Ballard – previously a long-time BBC reporter and presenter – would not return to their airwaves.
“During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment,” the broadcaster said in a statement.
“To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect.”
The swimmers had just beaten the US and China, to make it the fourth Olympics in a row where Australia has claimed the gold medal in the event and they were waving to crowds, celebrating the achievement when Ballard made his comment. .
His co-commentator and British swimming champion Lizzie Simmonds had immediately branded his remark “outrageous”, prompting laughter from Ballard.
The commentator apologised if the remarks caused offence and said it was not his “intention to upset or belittle anyone”, in a statement posted to X.
his statement, Ballard also urged users not to “pile in on” Simmonds. Some had been quick to attack the ex-Olympic swimmer online.
Bob Ballard’s career in broadcasting began in 1983, following a stint in the music industry. His early days were marked by his work with hospital radio in Hillingdon, which laid the foundation for his future in professional broadcasting.
Ballard’s first major break came at BBC Radio Medway, which later became Radio Kent, where he hosted a sports and music show.
Ballard’s transition to aquatic sports commentary occurred in 1993 when he covered the European Championships in Sheffield for BBC Radio Sheffield. This experience ignited his interest in swimming, diving, and water polo, leading him to become a prominent figure in these sports. His knowledge and enthusiasm for aquatic events quickly earned him recognition, and he became a sought-after commentator for major competitions, including the Olympics and World Championships.
Throughout his career, Bob Ballard has been a key figure in the coverage of multiple Olympic Games, with his ability to capture the excitement and intricacies of aquatic sports which made him a favourite among viewers.
Ballard’s commentary is characterized by its clarity and passion, which have contributed to the popularity of swimming and diving broadcasts.
