The English “Eurosport” reporter Bob Ballard caused a great stir with a sexist comment during the Olympic broadcast. The commentator subsequently lost his job at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. He has now commented on the incident and apologized for his statements.
“The comments I made during the Australian freestyle relay medal ceremony on Saturday have caused some offence. It was never my intention to upset or disparage anyone and if I did that, I apologise,” the 64-year-old is quoted as saying in British media: “I am a huge supporter of women’s sport”
On Saturday, Ballard made headlines around the world with a derogatory remark during the women’s 4×100-meter race. After the Australian quartet won the gold medal, he said flippantly: “Well, the women have just finished. You know how women are… they hang around and do their make-up.”
Olympia: “Outrageous” Ballard statement has far-reaching consequences
His co-commentator Lizzie Simmonds immediately described the journalist’s statements as “outrageous” and added that some men would do the same, and both laughed. The clip of the incident quickly went viral and attracted a lot of criticism. “Eurosport” reacted immediately and excluded Ballard from its commentary team for the Olympic Games in Paris.
“During a Eurosport broadcast last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment. For this reason, he has been removed from our commentator list with immediate effect,” the TV broadcaster said.
The Englishman has been reporting on sporting events such as the Olympic Games and World Championships since the 1980s. He is mainly involved in swimming and diving, as well as water polo, wheelchair tennis and ice hockey.
Source: www.sport.de
