Image Credit: AFP through Getty Images
Throughout the swimming competition on Saturday, July 27, after the Australian femaless 4x100m freestyle relay team won the gold medal, the previous BBC press reporter commented that the ladies swimmers were “ending up” and “you know what females resemble … spending time, doing their cosmetics.”
The swimmers– Mollie OCallaghan, Emma McKeon, Meg Harris, and Shayna Jack– were waving to crowds and commemorating the fourth Olympics in a row where Australia has actually claimed the gold medal in case when Ballard made his comments.
His co-commentator and British swimming champion, Lizzie Simmonds, immediately branded his remark “outrageous,” prompting laughter from Ballard.
In his statement on X, Ballard advised fans not to “pile in on” Simmonds, as some had been fast to attack the ex-Olympic swimmer online.
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#WATCH: Olympics analyst Bob Ballard was dropped over sexist comments about femaless swim group. pic.twitter.com/l8zqGMuEQF
— 6ixBuzzTV (@ 6ixbuzztv) July 29, 2024
” During a segment of Eurosports coverage last night, analyst Bob Ballard made an inappropriate remark,” the tv network said in a statement. “To that end, he has been gotten rid of from our commentary lineup with immediate effect.”
On Monday, July 29, Ballard published a declaration on X asking forgiveness if his remarks had offended audiences.
” The remarks I made during the Australian freestyle relay victory ceremony on Saturday have caused some offense. It was never my intention to belittle or disturb anyone, and if I did, I ask forgiveness. I am a massive supporter of ladiess sport,” said Ballard, who has been covering global sports because the 1980s and is best known for his coverage of swimming and diving.
” The comments I made during the Australian freestyle relay success event on Saturday have caused some offense. It was never my intention to disturb or belittle anyone, and if I did, I apologize. I am a massive advocate of femaless sport,” stated Ballard, who has actually been covering global sports given that the 1980s and is best understood for his protection of swimming and diving.
The best of the best– both females and males– currently contending in the 2024 Olympics definitely experience their fair share of remarks that trivialize their skill level for different factors. The majority of the time, individuals who make such slights, assuming they are safe or claiming they were unintentional, face no effects.
This remark came at a time when the International Olympic Committee is celebrating Paris 2024 as “The Equal Games,” considered that ladies now comprise 50 percent of its individuals.
The clip rapidly went viral, and while there is no official word on what the Australian swimmers believed of Ballards remark, Eurosport, Ballards employer, made their sentiments clear.
