Eurosport broadcaster Bob Ballard suspended after sexist comments at 2024 Paris Olympics

Olympics broadcaster Bob Ballard has been removed from the air after making sexist comments at the 2024 Paris Games. Ballard, who works for the French-based broadcasting network Eurosport, made the remark after the 4×100 women’s swimming event Saturday evening.

During an update on the Games at large, Ballard made light of the fact that the women’s race wasn’t yet finish with a sexist attempt at a joke.

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

Ballard’s broadcast partner, Lizzie Simmonds, reportedly took offense to his comment, calling it “outrageous” on the same broadcast. Ballard’s comments came after the Australian women’s team won the gold medal in the 4×100 freestyle relay event.

Several Aussies across social media criticized Ballard for his remarks, and Eurosport itself even released an official statement.

“During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment,” Eurosport said, per The Independent. “To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect.”

Ballard has yet to comment publicly on his firing from the network, with his most recent post on X being 10 hours ago. He posted an update from the Games early this morning before all the controversy went down.

Day two about to rock and roll in the swimming in Paris – every race live on @discoveryplusUK and the best action on @eurosport with @LizzieSimmonds1 and my ‘good’ self. pic.twitter.com/UUsUACEbIu

— Bob Ballard (@bobballardsport) July 28, 2024

Now Eurosport will continue its coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics Games without Bob Ballard, regardless of whether or not he comes out to clarify or apologize for his statement in any way.

Paris Olympic organizers explain Feast of the Gods segment during Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games was quite a sight, with a unique entry for the athletes as they cruised down the river Seine. Along the way were numerous nods to various European works of art, but the evening wasn’t without its controversy.

A sketch seemingly parodying Leonardo da Vinci‘s “The Last Supper” painting drew immediate and harsh criticism from the Catholic Church and other religious bodies. Organizers apologized for the depiction.

“Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group,” Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps said at a press conference, according to Reuters. “(The opening ceremony) tried to celebrate community tolerance. … We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence we are really sorry.”