• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Olympics commentator who was fired for ‘outrageous’ sexist comment makes feelings very clear in new statement

Home> News

Updated 16:55 30 Jul 2024 GMT+1Published 16:28 30 Jul 2024 GMT+1

Olympics commentator who was fired for ‘outrageous’ sexist comment makes feelings very clear in new statement

Bob Ballard has claimed 'there’s been a massive overreaction'

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

The Olympics commentator who was fired for his 'outrageous' sexist comment has made his feelings very clear in a new statement.

Olympics broadcaster Eurosport removed Bob Ballard from its commentary team after the remark he made over the weekend.

On Saturday evening (27 July), the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team - comprised of Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris - won gold.

Bob Ballard was sacked from his Olympic commentating duties after making a sexist comment. (X/@bobballardsport)
Bob Ballard was sacked from his Olympic commentating duties after making a sexist comment. (X/@bobballardsport)

Advert

In a clip that has since gone viral on social media, the former BBC commentator could be heard saying: "Well, the women just finishing up. You know what women are like … hanging around, doing their make-up."

Following his remarks, Ballard’s co-commentator, Lizzie Simmonds, called the remark 'outrageous' before adding: "Some of the men are doing that as well."

Eurosport released a statement following Ballard's comments which read: "During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment.

The Olympic commentator previously took to social media to 'apologise' for his remarks. (Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
The Olympic commentator previously took to social media to 'apologise' for his remarks. (Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Advert

"To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect."

Following Eurosport's statement, Ballard took to X to break his silence on the matter where he wrote: "The comments I made during the Australian freestyle relay victory ceremony on Saturday have 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.

"I shall miss the Eurosport team dearly and wish them all the best for the rest of the Olympics."

Advert

And now, speaking to LBC Radio this afternoon (30 July), Ballard said: "I am overwhelmed by the reaction I’ve had from the British public.

"It was a throwaway line - some people might say it’s a bit old-fashioned but it was never meant to offend."


He then added: "It was never meant to upset everybody and I think there’s been a massive overreaction from my employers.

Advert

"I’m dealing with it as best I can right now."

Australia won a fourth consecutive gold in the event with a time of 3:28.92, with McKeon wining a sixth gold medal to become the country’s most decorated Olympian.

Speaking to Nine, McKeon, who now plans to retire from the Olympics, said: "I tried not to think about it too much before... Just emotional."

She added: "I definitely hoped that that would've been better, but I know I've got a lot to be proud of and I think it's always going to be emotional finishing something that has brought me so much joy and so many great relationships and so many life lessons.

Advert

"I've got so many fond memories of swimming ... I just feel privileged to be here ... this is my fifth time out here already and it's only day two. I feel so lucky.

"So I am looking forward to the time when I can really look back on it all.

"I've already got so many great people around me that have already been through similar things, like my brother, who finished up swimming about three or four years ago.

"I've got a lot of people to support me."

Featured Image Credit: X/@bobballardsports/Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Topics: News, Olympics, Sport, UK News

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
7 hours ago
8 hours ago
  • 6 hours ago

    Donald Trump sparks another conspiracy theory about assassination attempt after internet sleuths spot major ‘clue’

    Social media users are questioning the authenticity of Donald Trump's assassination attempt once more, as they examine 'clues'

    News
  • 7 hours ago

    Melania Trump’s ‘Einstein visa’ raises questions after people think they’ve spotted issue with it

    Social media users and politicians alike are questioning the validity of the First Lady's visa.

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Kate Middleton and Prince William’s plans revealed after PETA slammed birthday post with brutal statement

    Kate Middleton and Prince William recently showed off several of their dog Orla's puppies in a recent photoshoot

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Doctors reveal one major sign to look out for that could be early symptom of bowel cancer

    There are around 44,100 new cases of the 'silent killer' every year in the United Kingdom alone

    News
  • Olympics commentator fired immediately after ‘outrageous’ sexist comment
  • Olympics commentator speaks out after being fired for ‘outrageous’ sexist comment
  • Tom Daley announces retirement after Paris 2024 Olympics in emotional statement
  • Olympics ban one of world’s biggest sports for one very good reason