An Olympics commentator has been fired for making a sexist comment about the Australian female swimmers at the Olympics. Eurosport, the Olympic broadcaster, has removed Bob Ballard from its commentary team after his inappropriate remark over the weekend.
During the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay, which took place on Saturday evening, the team consisting of Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon, and Meg Harris won gold. However, it was Ballard’s comment that grabbed attention. In a viral clip circulating on social media, he can be heard saying, “Well, the women just finishing up. You know what women are like…hanging around, doing their makeup.”
The response to Ballard’s comments has been swift and critical. Lizzie Simmonds, Ballard’s co-commentator, condemned the remark as ‘outrageous’ and pointed out that some men also engage in similar activities. Many people took to social media to express their frustration and shock at the persistent occurrence of such sexist comments. They questioned how such remarks can still be made in this day and age and emphasized the need to address and challenge this type of talk.
Eurosport acted promptly by releasing a statement addressing Ballard’s inappropriate comment and announcing his removal from their commentary roster effective immediately. Ballard, who has been covering sports since the 1980s and has reported on multiple Olympic Games and World Championships, has not yet publicly commented on his dismissal.
Despite the controversy surrounding Ballard’s comment, the Australian female swimmers had great success in the event. They secured a fourth consecutive gold medal with a time of 3:28.92. Emma McKeon, one of the swimmers, also made history by winning her sixth gold medal, becoming Australia’s most decorated Olympian.
McKeon, who plans to retire from the Olympics after these games, expressed her emotions during an interview. She stated that she tried not to think too much about Ballard’s comment before the race, emphasizing her focus on the achievement and her gratitude for the sport and the relationships it has brought her throughout her career. She acknowledged the emotional aspect of concluding a significant chapter in her life but expressed gratitude for the support she has from her loved ones.
This incident serves as a reminder that sexist comments are not acceptable and should be called out. It highlights the importance of fostering an environment of respect and gender equality within the sports community.
