Paris Olympics: Eurosport Commentator Apologizes After Firing for Sexist Remark

Bob Ballard, a commentator for the international TV network Eurosport, has apologized for a sexist remark that got him pulled from Eurosport’s coverage of the Paris Olympics.

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“The comments I made during the Australian freestyle relay victory ceremony on Saturday have caused some offence,” Ballard wrote in an X post on Monday. “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.”

Ballard’s comment came during Saturday’s broadcast of the women’s 4x100m freestyle swimming relay medal ceremony, where Team Australia (pictured above) was awarded the gold medal. As the athletes were leaving the Aquatics Centre, Ballard said , “Well, the women just finishing off. You know what women are like… hanging around, doing their makeup.”

Former Olympic swimmer Lizzie Simmonds, who was commentating alongside Ballard, replied, “Outrageous, Bob. Some of the men are doing that, as well,” a response that earned Ballard’s laughter. (In an addendum to his apology, Ballard later wrote , “P.s. Don’t pile in on @LizzieSimmonds1 – please! She has nothing to do with this.”)

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In a statement to the U.K.’s Independent shortly after Ballard’s comments were made, Eurosport confirmed that he had been removed from the network’s Olympics coverage.

“During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment,” the statement read. “To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect.”

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