December 8, 2024

Olympic commentator fired for making sexist comments about women’s swimming team

Pay TV company Eurosport fired Bob Ballard on Monday after the veteran sports journalist made comments about the Australian women’s swimming team.

After Australia completed the gold-winning 4x100m freestyle relay on Saturday, Ballard spoke about how long it took the team to leave the Paris Aquatics Center during the celebrations.

“Well, the women are done. You know how they are. They’re hanging around and putting on makeup,” Ballard said. Former Olympic and Eurosport presenter Liz Symonds dives into her story. “No, Bob,” Simmons said, and Ballard laughed. “That’s what some people do.”

A Eurosport spokesperson confirmed that Ballard has been fired for his comments.

“We can confirm that Bob Ballard has been removed from our review list, effective immediately,” the company said Monday.

Ballard is a veteran commentator who has covered sports since the mid-1980s and has covered several Olympics. He also worked as a music and news presenter on local BBC radio.