2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
- Pool Swimming: July 27 – August 4, 2024
- Open Water Swimming: August 8-9, 2024
- La Defense Arena – Paris, France
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- Prelims Live Recaps: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3
- Finals Live Recaps: Day 1, Day 2
While plenty of high-octane action is taking place in the pool at the 2024 Olympic Games, some drama is also unfolding outside the lane lines.
After the Australia women’s 400 free relay secured gold on the opening night and were preparing to stand on the podium, Eurosport’s commentator Bob Ballard quipped on-air: “Well the women are just finishing up. You know what women are like…hanging around, doing their makeup.”
Ballard’s commentating partner, former Olympic swimmer Lizzie Simmonds, responded: “Outrageous, Bob. Some of the men are doing that as well?”
Veteran Commentator Bob Ballard has been removed from his role as at the Olympics after making this remark about Australia’s women swimming team. The comment was considered sexist and Mr Ballard has since been sent home. Harsh or fair? #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/bTKjxFVZ3p
— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) July 29, 2024
Ballard was absent from the next day’s broadcast booth as Eurosport dropped the longtime Olympic coverage presence.
“During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment,” Eurosport said in a statement, per The Independent. “To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect.”
Ballard has since released a statement on X, stating: “The comments I made during the Australian freestyle relay victory ceremony on Saturday have caused some offense. It was never my intention to upset or belittle anyone and, if I did, I apologize.
“I am a massive advocate of women’s sport. 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.”
Ballard was replaced by broadcaster Laura Winter, and commented “Have a great one” under a post from Winter previewing Day 2 finals on X.
Get @eurosport @WBDsports on NOW! Historic night in the pool ahead #Paris20254 pic.twitter.com/SInGj7NArt
— Laura Winter (@lauracwinter) July 28, 2024
Ballard has been commentating on sports for more than four decades, with his career dating back to the mid-1980s with long stints at Eurosport and BBC. He has commentated on sports including swimming, diving, ice hockey, tennis, basketball, water polo, football, and cricket.
Absolutely ridiculous, it was a harmless joke. More evidence of the stupidity of wokeism
Said the sexist guy just doesn’t get it.
Soft world
You’d think discovering the Titanic would be the lowest he’d go, smdh
Top tier comment right here
Quick and witty response by Lizzie. Nicely done.
The minds of the offended run wild/spiral out of control…rather than controlling emotion and saving the “fight” for a battle that actually matters.
It does feel like a small throw-away comment and a big reaction, but part of me also has to acknowledge that it’s been a good 10 years of these discussions about sexist and racist remarks (“jokes”). Those jokes arent made about men, and the incredible aussie athletes dont need to be discussed that way. At what point does being on TV for ages, being from a different time, or making a little quip stop being an excuse to just not make this kind of “hilarious” comment when nobody’s asking for it?
I do understand your point, although I don’t think anyone is referring to the comment as hilarious. I don’t think anyone should really care about the comment at all.
How about the world feed (on Peacock) female commentator saying Yohann Ndoye-Brouard of France broke an “African record” in the 100 back?
😬
I assumed that was just confusion because Coetze (who actually broke the African record) tied with Ndoye-Brouard in that race in the lane next to him, so you see Ndoye-Brouard’s time with AR next to it
this ^ when i heard that commentary i was stumped for a second too, then realized he tied with a SOUTH AFRICAN swimmer (Coetze)
Some people are too sensitive nowadays. The comment might be a little cringy but getting offended over that, c’mon 🤡
I don’t think he meant any harm. I understand how its offensive and he shouldn’t have said it, but I don’t think he should be kicked off for it. I mean, at least one of the women was probably putting on makeup for the ceremony. I think this might be an overreaction, but again people are allowed to feel offended.
But should people be losing jobs because others are offended?