Bob Ballard Ousted From Paris Olympics 2024 Commentary Panel Over Sexist Remarks About Aussie Swimmers

In the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024, commentator Bob Ballard was removed from the commentary panel by broadcasters following a sexist remark made during a swimming event.

While commentating, Ballard made an inappropriate comment about the Australia women's 4x100m freestyle relay team after they won the gold medal.

Source : X/ @bobballardsport

During the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024, commentator Bob Ballard was removed from the commentary panel by broadcasters after making a sexist remark during a swimming event. The incident occurred after the Australian 4x100m freestyle relay team, consisting of Mollie O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon, Meg Harris and Shayna Jack, won a gold medal in Paris.

While commentating on Eurosport, Ballard made an inappropriate comment about the Australia women's 4x100m freestyle relay team after they won the gold medal, saying, "you know what women are like... hanging around, doing their makeup."

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Ballard has been a commentator for nearly 40 years, covering many Olympic panels in sports such as water polo, ice hockey, diving and swimming. Co-commentator and British swimming champion Lizzie Simmonds called Bob's comments ‘outrageous,’ but Bob Ballard responded to them with laughter.

In response to the incident, Eurosport released a statement confirming that Ballard was removed from the commentary panel.

"During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment. To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect," read the statement as per IANS.

Bob Ballard, a former BBC reporter and presenter, has yet to publicly address the controversy. 

Mollie O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon, Meg Harris and Shayna Jack were the four-member team that won Australia's fourth consecutive gold medal in the event at the Olympics.

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Coming to India's performance in the ongoing Olympics 2024, the Indian contingent has bagged two medals, both bronze so far in the competition. Indian shooter Manu Bhaker opened India's account with a bronze in the 10m Air Pistol Individual event and then she clinched yet another bronze medal on July 30 (Tuesday), this time in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed event, alongwith Sarabjot Singh. Manu also became the first Indian athlete to win two medals in the same Olympic Games.