A weekend of controversy for the Olympics added a sacking from the broadcaster to the mix after comments about the Australian women's swimming team apparently crossed a line.
Overshadowed but not overlooked amid the anti-Christian opening ceremony debacle and a string of anti-doping suspensions, crossing the lines with politically incorrect speech was still enough to send someone packing. That was the case on Sunday when commentator Bob Ballard was fired for making an “inappropriate comment” about the gold medal winners.
“Well, the women are finishing. You know how women are: walking around, putting on makeup,” Ballard said during Eurosport's coverage of the 4x100m relay.
“During a segment of Eurosport's coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment,” Eurosport said in a statement. reported by The Independent. “Therefore, it has been removed from our comments list with immediate effect.”
Limit date pointed out that fellow broadcaster Lizzie Simmonds had referred to the veteran broadcaster's statement as “outrageous”. Ahead of Saturday's competition, Ballard had four decades of experience commentating on swimming, water polo and diving, with the outlet stating: “With Ballard's gaffe, Paris organizers have promoted the Olympics like “The Equal Games”, with women now 50% of participants”.
A statement from the retracted broadcaster made no effort to defend his remarks, instead seeing him claim: “The comments I made during Australia's freestyle relay win on Saturday have caused some offense. It was never my intention to offend or belittle anyone, and if I did, I apologize. I'm a big supporter of women's sports.”
I will miss the Eurosport team very much and wish them all the best for the rest of the Olympics. No further comment will be made,” Ballard said. “Thank you.”
Here is the statement pt 1:
Comments I made during Australia's freestyle relay victory ceremony on Saturday have caused some offence. It was never my intention to offend or belittle anyone, and if I did, I apologize. I'm a big supporter of women's sports.
me
— Bob Ballard (@bobballardsport) July 29, 2024
Second part of the statement:
I will miss the Eurosport team very much and wish them all the best for the rest of the Olympics.
No further comments will be issued. Thanks.
— Bob Ballard (@bobballardsport) July 29, 2024
Made up of Meg Harris, Emma McKeon, Shayna Jack and Mollie O'Callaghan, Australia's swimming team marked its fourth consecutive victory in the 4x100m race by beating the United States and China in an Olympic record 3 :28.92.
Back to back to back
The golden girls have achieved 4 consecutive victories in the women's 4x100m freestyle relay!! #AllezAUS | @DolphinsAUS | @SwimmingAUS pic.twitter.com/3lFP9jIZL7
— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) July 28, 2024
In additional comments posted on his X account, Ballard asked the public to leave Simmonds out of the discussion and also thanked the 365 Radio team for showing their support.
“We at 365Radio.co would like to offer our 100% unequivocal support to our respected colleague and friend @bobballardsport…Bob is a caring and dedicated guy who is as knowledgeable and passionate about the sport as he is about his music and a consummate professional. who has been heavily criticized for having a sense of humor. Shame on you for a pathetic overreaction to a comment that didn't hurt anyone… Give the man his job, he hasn't. nothing wrong in the eyes of the majority,” they wrote, prompting Ballard to reply, “Thank you team.”
In support of his take, others joined in censuring the world for having “gone mad”. Absolutely amazing decision by Eurosport. I will not look at anything on the platforms until you receive an apology.”
Ps Don't crowd @LizzieSimmonds1 – please! She has nothing to do with it.
— Bob Ballard (@bobballardsport) July 29, 2024
Thank you team. I love you. https://t.co/xRREWv5XUn
— Bob Ballard (@bobballardsport) July 29, 2024
@bobballardsport the world has gone mad. Absolutely amazing decision by Eurosport. I will not look at anything on the platforms until you receive an apology.
— Hawky71 (@Hawkswo87033804) July 29, 2024
Props to you Bob, maybe not the wisest of comments in this day and age, but you meant no harm and it should never have been a dismissable offence.
— Martin (@martw17) July 29, 2024
Sorry to hear about this Bob – knowing you as I do I know there is never malice in anything you say.
We live in a strange world where offense is taken at the slightest excuse.— Paul Stainton (@PaulStainton) July 29, 2024
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