Eurosport has removed commentator Bob Ballard from its Olympics coverage after he made a sexist remark about the Australian women's swimming team.
European Olympics broadcaster Eurosport has terminated its contract with commentator Bob Ballard after he made a derogatory remark about the Australian women's swim team. During Saturday's coverage of the 4x100-meter freestyle event, Ballard said, "Well, the women are just finishing up. You know what women are like ... hanging around, doing their makeup."
Ballard's co-commentator, Lizzie Simmons, immediately condemned the remark as "outrageous." Eurosport swiftly removed Ballard from its coverage, issuing a statement that read, "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."
Eurosport Commentator Bob Ballard Removed from Olympics Coverage for Sexist Remark
Ballard has yet to publicly comment on the controversy. The veteran broadcaster has been a mainstay of Olympic coverage for several years, having previously freelanced for the BBC.
The controversy overshadowed the impressive performance of the Australian women's relay team. Emma McKeon, Shayna Jack, Mollie O'Callaghan, and Meg Harris claimed the gold medal with an Olympic record time of 3:28.92. The United States and China took silver and bronze, respectively.
Eurosport Commentator Bob Ballard Removed from Olympics Coverage for Sexist Remark
Following the race, the Australian team expressed disappointment with Ballard's remark. McKeon stated, "It's really disappointing to hear comments like that, especially in this day and age."
This is not the first time Ballard has sparked controversy with his commentary. In 2021, he was criticized for mocking the weight of a female athlete. Ballard later apologized for the incident.
Eurosport Commentator Bob Ballard Removed from Olympics Coverage for Sexist Remark
Eurosport has emphasized its commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in sports broadcasting. The company recently launched a new initiative called "Changing the Game," which aims to increase the number of women and minorities in the broadcasting industry.
The swimming community has widely condemned Ballard's remark. The Australian Swim Coaches and Teachers Association released a statement that read, "We stand in solidarity with the Australian women's swimming team and condemn the sexist comments made by Bob Ballard."
The incident has reignited discussions about sexism in sports media. Critics have argued that Ballard's comments reflect the ongoing bias and discrimination faced by women in sports.
Many have called for greater accountability in sports broadcasting. They argue that commentators must be held to a higher standard and that inappropriate comments cannot be dismissed as harmless jokes.
The removal of Bob Ballard from Eurosport's Olympics coverage sends a clear message that sexist and discriminatory remarks will not be tolerated. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of promoting diversity and respect in sports broadcasting and beyond.
