• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Olympics commentator breaks silence after being axed from coverage for sexist remark about female swimmers

Home> Other

Updated 12:51 29 Jul 2024 GMT+1Published 12:35 29 Jul 2024 GMT+1

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

Veteran commentator Bob Ballard has released a statement.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

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."

Advert

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.

Advert

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

Australia's women's 4x100m freestyle relay team celebrate after winning a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics -
Getty

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.

Advert

"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.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Olympics, Swimming

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

2 days ago
3 days ago
4 days ago
  • 2 days ago

    IOC make decision on stripping Olympic Games from the US over LA protests as official statement released

    The IOC have released a statement on the matter as unrest continues in Los Angeles.

    Other
  • 3 days ago

    Team GB star was 'on fire' in sex-mad Olympic village and reveals what he saw when entering the 'big room'

    The Team GB star revealed what he saw when entering the 'big room' at the Olympic Village.

    Other
  • 3 days ago

    Joe Rogan warned Donald Trump about becoming 'monster' as president threatens US with rarely used 1807 law

    Donald Trump agreed with Joe Rogan's strong claim.

    Other
  • 4 days ago

    IShowSpeed raced against viral fitness star Ashton Hall and fans can't believe what happened

    IShowSpeed and Ashton Hall had four races against each other.

    Other
  • Olympics commentator taken off air after inappropriate sexist remark about female swimmers
  • 'Devastated' Raygun breaks silence on going viral with Olympics breakdancing performance that scored zero
  • Noah Lyles breaks silence on competing again at the 2024 Olympics after COVID-19 diagnosis
  • Lionel Messi breaks silence with rare outspoken message after Argentina Olympics controversy