Commentator Bob Ballard Axed for Sexist Remark During Olympics Commentary
Commentator Bob Ballard Removed for Sexist Remark During Olympics Commentary
Veteran commentator Bob Ballard has been removed from the commentary panel by broadcasters after making a sexist remark on air during a swimming event at the Olympics.
During the Australia women’s 4x100m freestyle swimming relay team’s victory celebration, Ballard commented on Eurosport, “You know what women are like… hanging around, doing their make up.”
The remark sparked outrage, with co-commentator and British swimming champion Lizzie Simmonds labeling it as “outrageous.” Ballard initially laughed off the criticism.
Following the incident, Eurosport issued a statement confirming Ballard’s removal from the commentary panel. “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,” the statement read.
Ballard, who has been a commentator for almost 40 years, has covered various Olympic sports, including water polo, ice hockey, diving, and swimming.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing issue of sexism in sports commentary. Many have called for commentators to undergo training to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Australia women’s 4x100m freestyle swimming relay team, consisting of Mollie O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon, Meg Harris, and Shayna Jack, secured Australia’s fourth consecutive gold medal in the event at the Olympics.