Olympics commentator dropped over sexist comments about women’s swim team

CNN  —  Olympics commentator Bob Ballard was dropped from Eurosport, the European pay TV company, on Monday after the veteran sportscaster made sexist comments about the Australian women’s swim team. Following the conclusion of Saturday 4×100 meter freestyle relay, during which Team Australia won the gold medal, Ballard commented on the team’s apparent delay in exiting
Olympics commentator dropped over sexist comments about women’s swim team


CNN
 — 

Olympics commentator Bob Ballard was dropped from Eurosport, the European pay TV company, on Monday after the veteran sportscaster made sexist comments about the Australian women’s swim team.

Following the conclusion of Saturday 4×100 meter freestyle relay, during which Team Australia won the gold medal, Ballard commented on the team’s apparent delay in exiting the Paris Aquatic Centre as they celebrated.

“Well, the women just finishing off. You know what women are like, hanging around, doing their makeup,” Ballard said.

Lizzie Simmonds, the former Olympian and his Eurosport co-host, immediately rebuffed his comments.

“Outrageous, Bob,” Simmons said, as Ballard laughed. “Some of the men are doing that as well.”

A spokesperson for Eurosport, which distributes the Olympic broadcast in Europe and shares the same parent company as CNN, confirmed Ballard had been dropped over his comments.

“We can confirm that Bob Ballard has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect,” it said in a statement Monday.

Ballard, a veteran commentator who has reported on sports since the mid-’80s, has covered several Olympic games. He also works as a music and news presenter for BBC Local Radio.

In a statement  posted Monday on social media, Ballard offered an apology for his remarks.

“The comments I made during the Australian freestyle relay victory ceremony on Saturday have caused some offence. It was never my intention to upset or belittle anyone and, if I did, I apologise. I am a massive advocate of women’s sport,” he wrote.

“I shall miss the Eurosport team, dearly and wish them all the best for the rest of the Olympics,” he added.

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply
Related Posts
Romanian Gymnastics Says It ‘Never Agreed On Taking Away A Medal’ From Jordan Chiles
Read More

Romanian Gymnastics Says It ‘Never Agreed On Taking Away A Medal’ From Jordan Chiles

Forbes Business Breaking Romanian Gymnastics Says It ‘Never Agreed On Taking Away A Medal’ From Jordan Chiles Conor Murray Forbes Staff Murray is a Forbes news reporter covering entertainment trends. Following Aug 12, 2024, 04:05pm EDT Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline The Romanian Gymnastics Federation said it never agreed that
EXCLUSIVEIs THIS Britain’s most unpopular volunteer? Meet the man who rescues SEAGULLS from Brighton and lets them fly around his kitchen while feeding them Co-op ham as he tells locals if you don’t like it… move!
Read More

EXCLUSIVEIs THIS Britain’s most unpopular volunteer? Meet the man who rescues SEAGULLS from Brighton and lets them fly around his kitchen while feeding them Co-op ham as he tells locals if you don’t like it… move!

They are the airborne menace despised by so many for nicking chips, screeching their beaks off, swooping on beach-goers and even shoplifting. With such a raft of anti-social behaviour attached to the species, it is unsurprising seagulls are often viewed as the thugs of the seaside by many Brits. Nowhere is this more true than