Commentator fired over ‘sexist’ remarks on Australian women’s swimming team during Paris Olympics

New Delhi: A controversy erupted at the Paris Olympics 2024 after veteran commentator Bob Ballard made ‘sexist’ remarks about the Australian women’s swimming team. The incident happened after the Australian women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team won a gold medal at the Games on Sunday, July 29.

It was a moment to savour for the Aussie women’s team comprising Emma McKeon, Meg Harris, Shyna Jack and Mollie O’Callaghan, who bagged the sixth gold medal and 4th straight title in women’s 4x100m freestyle relay at the Olympics. However, the winning moment was tainted by Ballard’s controversial comments on the air.

As the Australian women’s team left the pool after winning the gold medal, Ballard, who was on the air alongside former British swimmer Lizzie Simmonds, said “The women just finishing up. You know what women are like, hanging around, doing their make-up”. Startled by his comments, Simmonds termed Ballard’s comments as ‘outrageous’ as the veteran commentator laughed it off.

The clip of Ballard’s controversial comments soon went viral on social media, creating a controversy. After an outrage on social media, Eurosport, the broadcaster, confirmed Ballard has been sacked from the commentary team for his inappropriate comments.

Bob Ballard’s sexist remarks go viral:

Setting women’s sports back. Bob Ballard:

(video from:thelifeoflyds – TikTok) pic.twitter.com/6SABGUTpfc

— A Gooners View (@AGoonersThought) July 29, 2024

“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,” Eurosports said in a statement.

Ballard, a popular commentator and a former BBC reporter, is a renowned voice in swimming and other diving sports having commentated in several editions of the Olympics.

Bob Ballard breaks his silence on controversy

Ballard took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday to break his silence on the controversy. He apologised for his comments on air but insisted he didn’t mean to offend or upset anyone. Ballard said he has been an advocate of women’s sport himself.

“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,” Ballard said in a statement on Twitter.

Right here it is the statement pt 1:

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

— Bob Ballard (@bobballardsport) July 29, 2024

Part two of statement:

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.

— Bob Ballard (@bobballardsport) July 29, 2024

The Australian women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team created history at the Paris Olympics after clinching the gold medal in the fourth straight edition of the quadrennial extravaganza. Australia are now the most successful team in women’s 4x100m freestyle relay swimming in Olympics history.

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