Olympics commentator breaks silence after being axed from coverage for sexist remark about female swimmers

Olympics commentator Bob Ballard has released a statement after it was announced that he had been dropped from Eurosport's coverage for making an inappropriate remark.

Ballard was calling the action in the women's 4x100m freestyle relay swimming final, which was won by the Australian quartet of Mollie O'Callaghan, Meg Harris, Shayna Jack and Emma McKeon, on Sunday night.

After they had left the pool, he remarked: "The women just finishing off... you know what women are like, hanging around, doing their makeup."

Co-commentator Lizzie Simmonds, who competed for Team GB at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, replied: "Outrageous Bob, some of the men are doing that as well."

Ballard responded: "Doing their makeup? Yeah, okay." Both commentators then laughed.

Eurosport subsequently announced that the veteran former BBC commentator had been removed from their roster at Paris 2024 with 'immediate effect'.

In a statement, they said: "During a segment of Eurosport's coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment.

"To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect."

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Ballard has now released a statement on his official Twitter account in which he addressed his removal.

He said: "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.

"I shall miss the Eurosport team dearly, and wish them all the best for the rest of the Olympics. No further comment will be issued. Thank you."

Ballard has been involved in the journalism industry for over 40 years, and also commentates on football, golf, diving and cricket as well as swimming.

He also formerly worked for the BBC on both their television and radio broadcasts.