A veteran sports commentator has been dismissed from his Olympics role after making a sexist remark about Australian female swimmers following their gold medal win.
As the 4x100m freestyle relay team were leaving the pool deck in Paris, Bob Ballard commented that they were “finishing up,” adding, “you know what women are like… hanging around, doing their makeup.”
The clip quickly went viral, and broadcaster Eurosport later announced that he had been removed from the commentary lineup.
Ballard has yet to comment publicly on his remarks.
Mollie O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon, Meg Harris, and Shayna Jack had just defeated the US and China, securing Australia’s fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal in the event.
They were waving to crowds and celebrating the achievement when Ballard made his comments.
His co-commentator, British swimming champion Lizzie Simmonds, immediately labeled his remark as “outrageous,” prompting laughter from Ballard.
On Sunday, Eurosport confirmed that Ballard, previously a long-time BBC reporter and presenter, would not return to their 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.”
Mr. Ballard has been a stalwart of global sports coverage since the 1980s, reporting on multiple Olympic Games and World Championships.
He has commentated on an array of sports including water polo, ice hockey, and wheelchair tennis, but is best known for his coverage of swimming and diving.
Swimming Australia has been approached for comment.
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