Topics: Olympics, Australia, Social Media, Twitter, Sport
Olympic commentator Bob Ballard has spoken out after he was accused of being sexist with remarks he made towards female swimmers.
Ballard was working as a commentator for Eurosport on Saturday (July 27), covering the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay race at the Paris Olympics when he made the controversial comment.
After Australia’s team of Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris beat the US and China to win the gold medal, Ballard made a comment in which he claimed the athletes were late to leave the swimming venue because they were 'doing their make-up'.
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In a clip of the moment, which has been shared widely on social media, Bollard can be heard saying: "Well, the woman just finishing off. You know what women are like, hanging around, you know, doing their makeup."
The comment sparked controversy from viewers and people online, with Ballard’s co-commentator, Lizzie Simmonds, among those who described the comment as 'outrageous'.
On Twitter, one critic commented: "Setting women's sports back. Bob Ballard."
Another wrote: "It’s a harmful stereotype and doesn’t have a place on international television coverage."
"He should be sacked. The women just achieved a Gold medal for Australia and deserved respect not cheap jokes at their expense!," added a third.
Soon after Ballard made the remark, Eurosport announced he would be removed from its commentary team.
In a statement, the broadcaster said: “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 now responded to the incident in a post shared on Twitter, in which he insisted he never intended to 'upset' or 'belittle' anyone with his remark.
He wrote: "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.
"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."
The winning Australian team secured an Olympic record-breaking swim time of 3:28.92 at the event, resulting in the fourth Olympics in a row where Australia has taken the top spot in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay race.
The win also marked McKeon's sixth gold medal, making her the country’s most decorated Olympian.
