Sportscaster apologises: 'I am a massive advocate of women's sport'
Eurosport has dropped sportscaster Bob Ballard from commentary duties on the Paris 2024 Olympics for making "inappropriate" comments about Australia's women swim team.
Ballard made comments about the team's delay in exiting the Paris Aquatic Centre after winning the 4x100 meter freestyle relay.
"Well, the women are just finishing off. You know what women are like, hanging around, doing their makeup," the sportscaster said.
Lizzie Simmonds, his co-host, immediately said Bollard's comments were outrageous: "Some of the men are doing that as well."
Eurosport, which distributes the Olympic broadcast in Europe, described Ballard's comment as "inappropriate."
"To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect," the broadcaster said in a statement to the UK's The Independent.
In a statement on X, Ballard apologised and acknowledged that his comments during the ceremony "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 said in the statement. "I shall miss the Eurosport team dearly and wish them all the best for the rest of the Olympics."
