Olympics Commentator Bob Ballard Fired After Sexist Remark. What ...
Eurosport commentator Bob Ballard will no longer serve as a broadcaster for the network during the 2024 Paris Olympics after making a sexist remark.
Ballard uttered the controversial comment during the women’s 4x100-meter freestyle relay on Saturday, July 27, according to BBC. After the race concluded and Australia secured the gold medal victory, the team exited the pool deck. As they were walking, Ballard said the Olympians were “just finishing off” before continuing, “you know what women are like... hanging around, you know, doing their makeup.”
Co-commentator and former Olympic swimmer Lizzie Simmonds replied, “Outrageous, Bob,” as he chuckled.
“Some of the men are doing that as well, I’ll have you know,” she added and laughed.
A clip of Ballard’s quip was shared on TikTok. “Casual sexism being thrown around on the swimming coverage…,” a social media user captioned the clip. “Baffling that this still happens on OLYMPIC coverage?? And in general??”
Many TikTok users expressed their frustrations with Ballard in the comments.
“In 2024?! There’s no way,” one wrote.
Another asked, “How are these comments still being made??”
A day after Ballard’s remark circulated on social media, Eurosport confirmed in a statement to British newspaper The Independent that the commentator has since been fired.
“During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment,” the network said in a statement July 28. “To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect.”
Ballard also posted a statement on X apologizing for his words.
“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,” he wrote July 29.
In a second tweet, he continued, “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.”
He also defended Simmonds in a third tweet.
“P.s. Don’t pile in on @LizzieSimmonds1 — please! She has nothing to do with this,” he said.
Some X users offered their support and said Ballard’s firing was unnecessary.
“Absolutely crazy to fire someone for something as inoffensive as that. Especially as yourself, who has done so much for women’s sport even from your days at Radio Sheffield. Chin up Bob,” one said.
Another supporter wrote, “I have listened to Bob many times covering various sports, but mainly the ice hockey, It is not fun anymore in this world, and people are offended on behalf of others who aren’t offended. He still has my up most respect as a commentator, and it is Eurosports loss.”
Ballard responded to both tweets and thanked his fans for their encouraging comments.
His removal from the broadcast comes after a controversy surrounding the Summer Games’ opening ceremony.
During the four-hour spectacle on July 26, one moment highlighted drag queens and dancers, who were seated beside a long table. Some thought the image mirrored Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” painting of Jesus and his 12 apostles. Critics called it a “mockery” and “insulting to Christian people.”
Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps issued an apology “if people have taken any offense” during a press conference on July 27.
“Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. On the contrary, I think that (artistic director) Thomas Jolly really tried to celebrate community tolerance,” she said. “We believe that this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense, we are really sorry.”
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Ariana Brockington
Ariana Brockington is a trending news reporter at TODAY digital. She is based in Los Angeles.
