Bob Ballard Removed from Eurosport for Sexist Remark

Bob Ballard, a veteran sports commentator for Eurosport, was removed from his role after making a sexist remark about the Australian women's 4x100m freestyle relay team during their gold medal ceremony at the Paris 2024 Olympics. As the team exited the pool, he commented, 'You know what women are like... hanging around, doing their make-up,' which sparked outrage among viewers and led to Eurosport's swift action. Ballard later apologized, stating it was never his intention to offend anyone and expressed his support for women's sports. His co-commentator, Lizzie Simmonds, criticized his remark as 'outrageous', while some viewers defended him, claiming it was merely a joke. This incident highlights ongoing discussions around sexism in sports commentary and the consequences for broadcasters. Ballard, who has had a long career in sports media, also expressed feelings of discrimination during his time at the BBC due to his sexuality.