Commentator Bob Ballard responds after removal from Olympics ...
Bob Ballard issued a statement to social media conveying an apology to people he offended with a comment panned as sexist.
The veteran commentator joked about Australia's female swimmers being like "women doing their makeup" on day two of swimming at the Olympics.
He was removed from all of Eurosport's coverage of the Games after the clip of Ballard's commentating segment blew up online.
Sports commentator Bob Ballard has acknowledged that a remark he made, which attracted controversy for being sexist and led to his removal from the Olympics, may have been offensive.
The veteran broadcaster, who has covered an array of sports since the 1980s, was removed from Eurosport's coverage of the Paris Games after suggesting Australia's gold-winning female swimmers were slow in wrapping up celebrations because of their gender.
"Well, the women just finishing off. You know [what] women are like, hanging around, you know, doing their makeup," he said during Saturday's swimming coverage after the Australian women's 4x100m freestyle team made their way from the medal presentation.
On Monday night, the 64-year-old issued an apology to social media after Eurosport confirmed he had been dropped from its commentating roster.
"The comments I made during the Australian freestyle relay victory ceremony on Saturday have caused some offence," the statement read.
"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."
Ballard was in the booth with Lizzie Simmonds when commentating on day two of the swimming in Paris. She immediately followed saying that was "outrageous Bob, some of the men are doing that as well", as the pair laughed it off.
The clip went viral on social media receiving mixed reactions, with some people deeming it sexist and disrespectful, while others argued it was simply a throwaway joke that was blown out of proportion.
Ballard thanked some supporters on X for making "life bearable" at a time when "things are tough".
Bob Ballard's comment referred to swimmers (from left) Shayna Jack, Mollie O’Callaghan, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris who took out a gold in the Women's 4x100m freestyle relay final.(AAP: Dave Hunt)
Eurosport said Ballard was removed from all scheduled duties at the Games, but did not specify whether a replacement would be brought in.
"During a segment of Eurosport's coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment," the French broadcaster said in a statement to The Independent UK.
"To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect."
Ballard is based out of the UK and has been a broadcaster and commentator on swimming, diving, water polo, ice hockey, wheelchair tennis, basketball, football, and tennis for more than 40 years.
He has regularly covered the Olympics and other international sporting events, along with working in some capacity for the BBC since 1983.
