Eurosport TV, specifically its British version, has decided to remove Bob Ballard from the commentary team for the Paris Olympics.
Ballard faced severe consequences for an inappropriate joke about women, specifically Australian swimmers, while commenting on their medal ceremony.
As Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon, and Meg Harris, who won gold in the 4×100 relay, were waiting to come on stage to receive their medals, Ballard said, “Here they are. Women are just finishing up. You know how women are… they dawdle, put on makeup…”. The comment was deemed sexist, and Eurosport promptly issued a statement apologizing for Ballard’s “inappropriate comment.”
“Due to an inappropriate comment, Bob Ballard has been removed from our commentary team. This decision takes effect immediately,” Eurosport announced.
Ballard’s co-commentator Lizzie Simmonds called the remark “outrageous.”
Ballard has yet to publicly comment on his statement.
