Eurosport Olympic commentator dropped from broadcasts for ‘inappropriate’ on-air remark about women

Advertisement

Advertise with us

PARIS (AP) — Eurosport has dropped an Olympic swimming commentator from its Paris coverage for an “inappropriate” comment about women.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/07/2024 (797 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PARIS (AP) — Eurosport has dropped an Olympic swimming commentator from its Paris coverage for an “inappropriate” comment about women.

British journalist Bob Ballard said on air after Australia won the 4×100-meter freestyle relay on Saturday: “Well, the women just finishing up. You know what women are like … hanging around, doing their makeup.”

Co-commentator Lizzie Simmonds, who swam at the 2012 London Olympics for Britain, reacted on air by describing the comment as “outrageous.”

Australia's Shayna Jack, Mollie O'Callaghan, Emma Mckeon and Meg Harris, from left, celebrate after winning the women's 4x100-meter freestyle relay final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Australia's Shayna Jack, Mollie O'Callaghan, Emma Mckeon and Meg Harris, from left, celebrate after winning the women's 4x100-meter freestyle relay final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

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

Eurosport, a subsidiary of parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, is the main Olympic rights holder in Europe with sub-licensing deals to national public networks.

Ballard is a former long-time Olympic broadcaster for the BBC, which has one of those deals to show a limited number of events.

___

AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Report Error Submit a Tip

Olympics

LOAD OLYMPICS ARTICLES