Olympics Commentator Axed Over Sexist Remark
A veteran sports commentator has been dismissed from his role at the Olympics following a sexist remark directed at Australian female swimmers after their gold medal victory. The incident occurred during the 4x100m freestyle relay event in Paris, where the Australian team celebrated their remarkable achievement.
As the team, consisting of Mollie O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon, Meg Harris, and Shayna Jack, made their way off the pool deck, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment, stating they were "finishing up" and adding, "you know what women are like... hanging around, doing their make-up." This remark quickly gained traction on social media, leading to widespread outrage.
Ballard's co-commentator, British swimming champion Lizzie Simmonds, immediately condemned his comment as "outrageous," which only prompted laughter from Ballard, further highlighting the insensitivity of the situation. The Australian team had just triumphed over competitors from the US and China, marking the fourth consecutive Olympics where Australia secured gold in this event. The swimmers were seen waving to the crowd, reveling in their success, when the comment was made.
In response to the backlash, Eurosport, the broadcaster, announced that Ballard would no longer be part of their commentary team. "During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment," the network stated. "To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect."
Bob Ballard has been a prominent figure in sports commentary since the 1980s, covering numerous Olympic Games and World Championships across various sports, including swimming, diving, water polo, ice hockey, and wheelchair tennis. However, this incident has overshadowed his long-standing career.
Swimming Australia has been approached for further comment on the matter, as the fallout from Ballard's remarks continues to resonate within the sports community. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding sexism in sports commentary and the need for greater accountability among commentators.