Eurosport commentator apologises after getting the boot for sexist comment about Aussie swimmers
An Olympic commentator removed from Paris 2024 broadcasting for his "outrageous" remark about Australia's female 4x100m freestyle relay team has apologised.
Bob Ballard's comment about women "doing their makeup" sparked a quick rebuke from his female co-commentator and a wave of condemnation online before Olympic broadcaster Eurosport pulled him from the coverage.
Ballard tonight apologised on X, formerly Twitter, saying he didn't mean to cause offence.
MEDAL TALLY: Olympic medal table and full results from every event
Bob Ballard was given the boot after making a sexist remark about Australia's gold-medal swimming champs. Twitter
Ballard's comment was made after Australia's golden girls - Mollie O'Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris - won gold on Saturday evening.
"Well, the women just finishing up. You know what women are like … hanging around, doing their makeup," he said.
Ballard's co-commentator, Lizzie Simmonds, described the remark, which went viral on social media, as "outrageous".
Ballard tonight wished the Eurosport team well and begged people not to "pile in on" Simmonds.
Eurosport had earlier announced Ballard's removal from its Games broadcasts.
"During a segment of Eurosport's coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment," the broadcaster said in a statement.
"To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect."
OLYMPIC SCHEDULE: Your day-to-day guide to all the action in Paris, in AEST times
Australia's Shayna Jack, Mollie O'Callaghan, Emma Mckeon and Meg Harris, from left, celebrate after winning the women's 4x100m freestyle relay final. AP
O'Callaghan, Jack, McKeon and Harris won the event with an Olympic record of 3:28.92.
The victory marked our fourth straight Olympic gold in the women's 4x100m freestyle and made McKeon Australia's most successful Olympian with six gold medals.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
