Sexist remarks at the 2024 Olympics: commentator lost his job
30 july 2024 в 05:13
The best of the best — both men and women participating in the 2024 Olympics — definitely face comments that diminish their level of skill for various reasons. Most of the time, people making such remarks, assuming they are harmless or claiming they were unintentional, do not face consequences.
However, when it came to British commentator Bob Ballard, one careless sexist comment during a swimming competition led to his swift dismissal.
During the swimming competition on Saturday, July 27, after the Australian women’s team won a gold medal in the 4×100m freestyle relay, former BBC reporter noticed that the female swimmers were «just hanging around» and «you know, what women… do their makeup here».
This comment was made at a time when the International Olympic Committee is celebrating Paris 2024 as «Equal Games», considering that women now make up 50 percent of participants.
The video quickly went viral, and although there is no official information on what the Australian swimmers thought of it, Eurosport, Ballard’s employer, expressed their feelings.
«During the Eurosport broadcast segment last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment», - the television network said in a statement. «As a result, he has been immediately removed from our commentary team».
On Monday, July 29, Ballard issued a statement on X, apologizing if his remarks offended viewers.
«The comments I made during the award ceremony of the Australian freestyle relay on Saturday caused some dissatisfaction. My intention was never to offend or humiliate anyone, and if I did, I apologize. I am a supporter of women’s sports», - said Ballard, who has covered global sporting events since the 1980s and is best known for his coverage of swimming and diving.
Swimmers — Molly O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon, Meg Harris, and Shayna Jack — waved to the crowd and celebrated Australia’s fourth consecutive Olympics where they won a gold medal in this event when Ballard made his remarks.
His co-commentator and British swimming champion Lizzie Simmonds immediately called his comment «scandalous», causing laughter from Ballard.
In his statement on X, Ballard urged fans not to «attack» Simmonds, as some were quick to attack the former Olympic swimmer online
However, when it came to British commentator Bob Ballard, one careless sexist comment during a swimming competition led to his swift dismissal.
During the swimming competition on Saturday, July 27, after the Australian women’s team won a gold medal in the 4×100m freestyle relay, former BBC reporter noticed that the female swimmers were «just hanging around» and «you know, what women… do their makeup here».
This comment was made at a time when the International Olympic Committee is celebrating Paris 2024 as «Equal Games», considering that women now make up 50 percent of participants.
The video quickly went viral, and although there is no official information on what the Australian swimmers thought of it, Eurosport, Ballard’s employer, expressed their feelings.
«During the Eurosport broadcast segment last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment», - the television network said in a statement. «As a result, he has been immediately removed from our commentary team».
On Monday, July 29, Ballard issued a statement on X, apologizing if his remarks offended viewers.
«The comments I made during the award ceremony of the Australian freestyle relay on Saturday caused some dissatisfaction. My intention was never to offend or humiliate anyone, and if I did, I apologize. I am a supporter of women’s sports», - said Ballard, who has covered global sporting events since the 1980s and is best known for his coverage of swimming and diving.
Swimmers — Molly O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon, Meg Harris, and Shayna Jack — waved to the crowd and celebrated Australia’s fourth consecutive Olympics where they won a gold medal in this event when Ballard made his remarks.
His co-commentator and British swimming champion Lizzie Simmonds immediately called his comment «scandalous», causing laughter from Ballard.
In his statement on X, Ballard urged fans not to «attack» Simmonds, as some were quick to attack the former Olympic swimmer online
© Smirnova Olga
