Paris 2024 Olympics: Eurosport commentator withdrawn from Olympics coverage after sexist comment

Bob Ballard, a commentator for Eurosport, has been taken off the network’s Olympics coverage due to a sexist comment he made.

This incident occurred right after Australia’s women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team—comprising Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon, and Meg Harris—won the gold medal.

A video of his commentary from Paris 2024, which included Lizzie Simmonds, quickly circulated on social media and provoked significant backlash.

Ballard was overheard remarking, The women are just wrapping things up. You know how women can be when they’re getting ready.

In response, Eurosport acted quickly to suspend him from his role, issuing a statement that said: Last night during our coverage, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate remark.

As a result, he has been removed from our commentary team effective immediately. Meanwhile, Australia’s women’s team made history by clocking in at 3:28.92, winning their fourth consecutive gold medal in this event.

Simmonds labeled the remark as shocking during his co-commentary. Reactions on TikTok regarding the video highlighted the statement as an instance of everyday sexism, with one user noting that all the medals earned by Team GB at the Games were secured by female athletes.

This comment emerges while the IOC is promoting Paris 2024 as The Equal Games, celebrating that women now represent half of all participants.

Ballard, who has been vocal about his opinions on the swimming schedule online, has not yet responded to his statement.