Olympic commentator removed after sexist remark

PARIS – Television broadcaster Eurosport on Sunday removed a commentator from its Paris Olympics coverage after he made a sexist remark during the swimming competition.

Bob Ballard

Bob Ballard made the comment about Australia’s swimmers after they won the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay gold on Saturday.

In a clip which went viral on social media, Ballard said: “Well, the women just finishing up. You know what women are like… hanging around, doing their make-up.”

Ballard’s co-commentator Lizzie Simmonds called the remark “outrageous”.

“During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment,” Eurosport said in a statement.

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

There was no immediate reaction from Ballard. –AFP