2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
- Pool Swimming: July 27 – August 4, 2024
- Open Water Swimming: August 8-9, 2024
- La Defense Arena – Paris, France
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- Prelims Live Recaps: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3
- Finals Live Recaps: Day 1, Day 2
While plenty of high-octane action is taking place in the pool at the 2024 Olympic Games, some drama is also unfolding outside the lane lines.
After the Australia women’s 400 free relay secured gold on the opening night and were preparing to stand on the podium, Eurosport’s commentator Bob Ballard quipped on-air: “Well the women are just finishing up. You know what women are like…hanging around, doing their makeup.”
Ballard’s commentating partner, former Olympic swimmer Lizzie Simmonds, responded: “Outrageous, Bob. Some of the men are doing that as well?”
Veteran Commentator Bob Ballard has been removed from his role as at the Olympics after making this remark about Australia’s women swimming team. The comment was considered sexist and Mr Ballard has since been sent home. Harsh or fair? #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/bTKjxFVZ3p
— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) July 29, 2024
Ballard was absent from the next day’s broadcast booth as Eurosport dropped the longtime Olympic coverage presence.
“During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment,” Eurosport said in a statement, per The Independent. “To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect.”
Ballard has since released a statement on X, stating: “The comments I made during the Australian freestyle relay victory ceremony on Saturday have caused some offense. It was never my intention to upset or belittle anyone and, if I did, I apologize.
“I am a massive advocate of women’s sport. I shall miss the Eurosport team, dearly and wish them all the best for the rest of the Olympics. No further comment will be issued. Thank you.”
Ballard was replaced by broadcaster Laura Winter, and commented “Have a great one” under a post from Winter previewing Day 2 finals on X.
Get @eurosport @WBDsports on NOW! Historic night in the pool ahead #Paris20254 pic.twitter.com/SInGj7NArt
— Laura Winter (@lauracwinter) July 28, 2024
Ballard has been commentating on sports for more than four decades, with his career dating back to the mid-1980s with long stints at Eurosport and BBC. He has commentated on sports including swimming, diving, ice hockey, tennis, basketball, water polo, football, and cricket.
I don’t understand why it’s offensive
I don’t even know what he meant by what he said .
I’m scared to breath wrong now
I agree with the idea that micro-aggressions are damaging to women’s sports and should be put in check. For me, it really came down to the fact that he made the comment as the athletes were preparing to be photographed on the podium and may very well have been getting themselves to what they considered a “photo ready” standard (whatever that means to them) as I can imagine any Olympic medalist would.
Had he made the comment as the women were preparing to walk about before the race, it think that would be extremely sexist. In this context, still not okay, but more understandable.
As Kamala’s mom said, “you think you just fell out of a coconut tree?… Read more »
It’s not so much the specific words but the intent and in a world where women are fighting for every second of fair media coverage and content about their performances rather than their looks, these words matter. These types of comments are rarely if ever made about men and that is why this was an important move. Sure, it was harmless but it sends a message that even a micro-aggression is not okay. You can call PC or whatever but words matter, standards matter. If you’re covering the Olympics you should be held to the highest standard.
I think that’s a good perspective.
Thank you ! It matters. They are athletes! Strong powerful and brilliant.
No, it wasn’t that egregious of a comment, but this guy’s job is talking. He should know what is and what is not appropriate, so I can’t really say I’ve got much sympathy for him. It was a dumb thing to say and he paid the price for it.
dumb comment… but as a woman and swimmer I’m not incredibly offended. I do be taking forever to get ready.
Some of us get ready quicker than our husbands!
PC should be outlawed.
Treating people with kindness should be outlawed?
Was a goofy comment but is he even wrong ? It’s relatable that women take forever and do makeup trying to get ready . Just a weird time to say it lol . Men can joke with each other about anything and it brings us closer , when will men learn not to joke around with or about women ? It’ll cost you everything . Fellas just keep it to ourselves and we will be okay.
Send AVD home and hire this guy for the USA prelims feed. I’d take a little dark humor over her endless nonsense any day… I still can’t believe she didn’t know the m/s data represented meters per second, and that somehow she thought that Marchand was going to break the world record by 2 seconds when he was 4 seconds off pace.
Use Beisel instead of AVD. Use me instead of AVD. Use an empty chair instead of AVD. She has not been good.