On Monday, Olympics commentator Bob Ballard was let go from the European TV company, Eurosport, after making a sexist joke about the Australian women’s swim team.
Following Team Australia’s gold medal win in the 4×100 meter freestyle relay on Saturday, Ballard commented on the delay in the team’s exit from the Paris Aquatic Centre.
“Well, the women just finishing off. You know what women are like, hanging around, doing their makeup,” Ballard said.
Shortly after, Ballard’s co-host and former Olympian, Lizzie Simmonds, quickly responded to his comments, saying, “Outrageous, Bob. Some of the men are doing that as well.”
A few days later, a spokesperson for Eurosport issued a statement confirming that Ballard was no longer employed by the company.
“We can confirm that Bob Ballard has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect,” the statement read.
That same day, Ballard also released a statement to address his actions and apologized for his comment.
“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 wrote. “I shall miss the Eurosport team, dearly and wish them all the best for the rest of the Olympics.”
