Eurosport has confirmed that commentator Bob Ballard has been taken off their Paris Olympics coverage following an “inappropriate” remark made during the event.

“Well, the women just finishing up. You know what women are like… hanging around, doing their make-up,” was what Ballard said during the broadcast of the women’s swimming event. The clip quickly circulated on social media, prompting Eurosport to release a statement.

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

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The incident occurred during Eurosport’s broadcast of the women’s 4×100 relay, after the Australian team, comprising Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon, and Meg Harris, clinched gold for Australia.

Ballard was providing commentary alongside Lizzie Simmonds. His co-commentator rebuked his comment as “outrageous”, while reactions on social media ranged from critical to incensed, reports the Mirror.

“Bob Ballard hang your head in shame and get off the broadcast and back to the 1930s,” one user commented. Another labelled his remarks as “shameful,” questioning: “When will these people ever learn? Why aren’t they being given some training?”

One more response on social media demanded action: “Eurosport please sack Bob Ballard from commentating any more at the Olympics 2024,” adding, “His comments re Aust 4×100 female swim relay team totally disgusting in today’s world. He needs to publicly apologise!”

Australia’s women’s team stormed to victory in their event, finishing more than a second ahead of their rivals. The United States took home silver, while the bronze medal went to China.

Australia's women's team won 4x100m gold at the Paris Olympics
Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris of Team Australia posing in the podium after winning the gold medal on Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay Finals
(Image: Getty Images)

Team GB were also in the final but missed out on a podium finish. The team, made up of Anna Hopkin, Eva Oparo, Lucy Hope and Freya Anderson, finished seventh – narrowly missing out to the host nation, France.

The victory for the Australian team saw McKeon overtake swimming legend Ian Thorpe’s record of five gold medals at a single games. Speaking to Nine after the race, McKeon said: “Wow. I don’t keep track of that kind of stuff … it’s an honour really,”.

She added: “To be part of this (4x100m relay team), it’s extremely hard and this is a team of six with Bronte (Campbell) and Liv (Olivia Wunsch, heat swimmers) – we couldn’t do it without this group of six. Everyone wants to be part of this team. I feel really honoured to be part of it.”

Speaking about her journey to the games, she said: “It’s definitely been a rough couple of years, especially this year. I definitely had my doubts. I just really wanted to be part of this team tonight.”