Olympics commentator axed for saying Australian swimmers were 'hanging around, doing their makeup'

Sports commentator Bob Ballard has been removed from Eurosport ’s Olympics coverage after making a sexist remark.

It follows a gold medal win for the Australian female swimmers , including Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris.

As the 4x100m freestyle relay team were making their way off the pool deck in Paris , the veteran broadcaster made a sexist comment about them.

In the clip, Ballard is heard saying they are "finishing up", adding "you know what women are like... hanging around, doing their make-up".

His co-commentator and British swimming champion Lizzie Simmonds immediately brands the remark "outrageous," to which he laughs.

Ballard’s comments over the weekend prompted Eurosport to sack the broadcaster from his Olympics role, saying he would not be returning to its airwaves.

"During a segment of Eurosport ’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment," the broadcaster said in a statement.

"To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect."

In a statement posted to X on Monday morning, Ballard 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.”

He added: “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 previous BBC presenter and reporter has had a whole host of pundit projects under his belt and has covered global sport events since the 1980s.

His career has seen him report on a wide array of sports, including swimming, diving, water polo, ice hockey and wheelchair tennis.

Family’s elation as eventing team win first GB gold at Paris Olympics

Adam Peaty’s girlfriend Holly Ramsay ‘totally in awe’ of him after Olympic medal

Katya Jones supports ex Strictly partner Adam Peaty at Paris Olympics