A weekend of controversy for the Olympics added a broadcaster removal to the mix after comments about the Australian women’s swim team seemingly crossed a line.
Overshadowed, but not overlooked amid the anti-Christian opening ceremony debacle and a number of anti-doping suspensions, crossing lines with run-of-the-mill politically incorrect speech was still enough to send someone packing. Such was the case Sunday when longtime commentator Bob Ballard was removed for making an “inappropriate comment” concerning the gold medal winners.
“Well, the women are just finishing off. You know what women are like — hanging around, doing their makeup,” said Ballard during Eurosport’s coverage of the 4×100-meter relay.
“During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment,” expressed Eurosport in a statement reported by The Independent. “To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect.”
Deadline noted that his broadcasting partner Lizzie Simmonds had reportedly referred to the remark from the veteran broadcaster as “outrageous.” Prior to Saturday’s competition, Ballard had four decades of experience providing commentary on swimming, water polo, and diving, and the outlet indicated, “Compounding Ballard’s gaffe, Paris organizers have promoted the Olympics as ‘The Equal Games,’ with women now 50% of participants.”
A statement from the removed broadcaster made no effort to defend his remarks and instead saw him affirming, “The comments I made during the Australian freestyle relay victory on Saturday have caused some offense. It was never my intention to upset or belittle anyone and, if I did, I apologize. 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,” said Ballard. “Thank you.”
Right here it is the statement pt 1:
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
— Bob Ballard (@bobballardsport) July 29, 2024
Part two of statement:
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.
— Bob Ballard (@bobballardsport) July 29, 2024
Comprised of Meg Harris, Emma McKeon, Shayna Jack and Mollie O’Callaghan, Australia’s swim team marked the fourth consecutive win in the 4x100m race as they beat the United States and China with an Olympic record at 3:28.92.
Back-to-back-to-back-to-back
The golden girls have made it 4 consecutive wins in the 4x100m Women’s Freestyle Relay!! #AllezAUS | @DolphinsAUS | @SwimmingAUS pic.twitter.com/3lFP9jIZL7
— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) July 28, 2024
In additional remarks posted to his X account, Ballard requested that the public leave Simmonds out of the discussion and also thanked the team at 365 Radio for showing their support.
“We hear at 365Radio.co would like to offer our 100% unequivocal support to our respected colleague & friend @bobballardsport…Bob is a caring, dedicated guy, as knowledgeable & passionate about the sport as he is his music & a tru consummate professional who’s been harshly criticised for having a sense of humour. Shame on @eurosport fro a pathetic gross overreaction to a comment that hurt no one…Give the guy his job back, he’s done nothing wrong in the eyes of the majority,” they wrote prompting Ballard to respond, “Thanks team. Love you.”
In support of their take, others joined in decrying the world as having “gone mad. Utterly astonishing decision from Eurosport. I will not watch anything in there platforms until you receive an apology.”
P.s. Don’t pile in on @LizzieSimmonds1 – please! She has nothing to do with this.
— Bob Ballard (@bobballardsport) July 29, 2024
Thanks team. Love you. https://t.co/xRREWv5XUn
— Bob Ballard (@bobballardsport) July 29, 2024
@bobballardsport the world has gone mad. Utterly astonishing decision from Eurosport. I will not watch anything in there platforms until you receive an apology.
— Hawky71 (@Hawkswo87033804) July 29, 2024
Support to you Bob , maybe not the wisest of comments in current times but you meant no harm and it never should have been a sackable offence.
— Martin (@martw17) July 29, 2024
Sorry to hear about this Bob – knowing you as I do I know there is never any malice in anything that you say.
We live in a strange world where offence is taken with the slightest of excuses.— Paul Stainton (@PaulStainton) July 29, 2024
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
- ‘Hackiest hack’ Jim Acosta fears ‘partisan hacks’ will take over CNN as a result of merger - March 21, 2026
- USPS mail carrier in NYC suburb captured on video violently shoving 4-year-old Jewish boy - March 21, 2026
- Luxury brand facing scrutiny over failed Erika Kirk smear job by staffer who leaked purchase history - March 21, 2026
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.