Eurosport has dropped an Olympic swimming commentator from its Paris coverage for an “inappropriate” comment about women in the aftermath of Australia's victory in the 4x100m freestyle relay.
British journalist Bob Ballard said on air after Australia won the race on Saturday: “Well, the women just finishing up. You know what women are like ... hanging around, doing their makeup.”
Co-commentator Lizzie Simmonds, who swam at the 2012 London Olympics for Britain, reacted on air by describing the comment as “outrageous”.
“During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment," Eurosport said in a statement.
"To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect.”
Eurosport, a subsidiary of parent company Warner Bros Discovery, is the main Olympic rights holder in Europe with sub-licensing deals to national public networks.
Ballard is a former long-time Olympic broadcaster for the BBC, which has one of those deals to show a limited number of events.
