A senior sports activities commentator has been sacked for making sexist feedback after an Australian feminine swimmer received gold.
Because the 4x100m freestyle relay workforce set off from the pool deck in Paris, Bob Ballard mentioned they had been “winding down”, including “You understand what girls are like…hanging out, placing on their make-up” “.
The footage rapidly went viral and Eurosport later mentioned he had been faraway from the commentary line-up.
In a press release launched to
Molly O’Callaghan, Emma McKean, Meg Harris and Shanna Jack have simply overwhelmed america and China to turn out to be Australia’s fourth consecutive gold medal within the occasion on the Olympics.
They had been waving to the gang celebrating the achievement when Ballard made his feedback.
His co-commentator, British swimming champion Lizzie Symonds, instantly referred to as his feedback “stunning”, prompting Ballard to snort.
In X’s assertion, Ballard urged customers to not “crowd in” Simmons. Some individuals had been fast to assault the previous Olympic swimmer on-line.
On Sunday, Eurosport mentioned Ballard, a long-time BBC journalist and presenter, wouldn’t be returning to their broadcaster.
“Throughout final night time’s Eurosport protection, commentator Bob Ballard made inappropriate feedback,” the broadcaster mentioned in a press release.
“Because of this, he has been faraway from our commentary roster with speedy impact.”
Mr. Ballard has been a stalwart of world sports activities protection because the Eighties and has reported on many Olympic and World Championships.
He has commented on a variety of sports activities together with water polo, ice hockey and wheelchair tennis, however is greatest identified for his protection of swimming and diving.
Swimming Australia has been contacted for remark.
