Eurosport has issued a statement in response to a sexist comment made by commentator Bob Ballard about the Australian women’s swimming team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
On Saturday (July 27), Australia’s women’s 4×100 meters freestyle relay team, consisting of Mollie O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon, Meg Harris, and Shayna Jack, triumphed over the US and China to claim the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The team achieved an Olympic record-breaking time of 3:28.92, marking the fourth consecutive Olympics where Australia has won this event. However, instead of focusing solely on their achievement, Eurosport commentator Bob Ballard made a sexist joke about the team.
In a widely circulated clip on social media, Ballard is heard saying: “Well, the woman just finishing off. You know what women are like, hanging around, you know, doing their makeup.”
Ballard’s co-commentator Lizzie Simmonds promptly responded: “Outrageous Bob.” Ballard responded with laughter.
Simmonds added: “Some of the men are doing that as well, you know?”
This sparked a strong backlash on social media.
One Twitter user expressed: “Bob Ballard hang your head in shame and get off the broadcast and back to the 1930s. Commentating for EuroSport he’s used a sexist slur as the Aussie women RIGHTLY celebrated together.”
Another user stated: “Setting women’s sports back. Bob Ballard.”
A third person commented: “It’s a harmful stereotype and doesn’t have a place on international television coverage.”
In response to those defending Ballard and calling the backlash ‘woke cancel culture,’ another user wrote: “If you can’t see the issue with his comment, you are part of the problem.”
Another commenter demanded: “He should be sacked. The women just achieved a Gold medal for Australia and deserved respect not cheap jokes at their expense!”
Eurosport subsequently announced that Ballard had been removed from his commentary role for the Paris Olympics.
The statement 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.”
Ballard has been actively posting on his Twitter about the Olympics and sharing clips of himself commentating but has yet to address his sexist remark or his removal from the roster.