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 recognize what girls are like…hanging out, placing on their make-up” “.
The footage shortly 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 McCann, Meg Harris and Shanna Jack have simply crushed the US and China to change into 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 snicker.
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 instant impact.”
Mr. Ballard has been a stalwart of worldwide 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 finest identified for his protection of swimming and diving.
Swimming Australia has been contacted for remark.
