Paris Olympics broadcaster removed from coverage after comments about Australian women’s swimming team

A European Olympic commentator’s comments about the Australian women’s swimming team on Saturday cost him his place in Paris.

Bob Ballard, covering the Paris Summer Games for Eurosport, spoke about “what women are” in reference to the Australian team after they won the 4x100m freestyle.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Emma McKeon, Shayna Jack, Mollie O’Callaghan and Meg Harris of Team Australia celebrate after winning the gold medal in the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Final at the Paris Olympic Games at Paris La Défense Arena on July 27, 2024 in Nanterre, France. (Xavier Laine/Getty Images)

“Well, the women just finished. You know how women are … hanging out, putting on makeup,” Ballard said, according to the New York Post.

Ballard’s commentary partner Lizzie Simmons called his remark “outrageous,” according to Deadline.

Eurosport subsequently removed Ballard from its Olympic coverage.

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

Mollie O’Callaghan of Team Australia prepares to compete in the Women’s 200m Freestyle on day two of the Paris Olympic Games at Paris La Défense Arena on July 28, 2024 in Nanterre, France. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

American swimmer Carson Foster narrowly misses out on silver in thrilling 400m medley final

Ballard did not immediately comment on the controversy.

He was a fixture in Olympic coverage for several years and was also a freelance presenter for the BBC.

The Australian relay team of Emma McKeon, Shayna Jack, Mollie O’Callaghan and Meg Harris won the gold medal in the 4×100 metres relay on Saturday, beating the United States and China. The team set an Olympic record with a time of 3:28.92.

Mollie O’Callaghan of Team Australia prepares to compete in the Women’s 200m Freestyle on day two of the Paris Olympic Games at Paris La Défense Arena on July 28, 2024 in Nanterre, France. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The American team consisted of Kate Douglass, Gretchen Walsh, Torri Huske and Simone Manuel. The Chinese team consisted of Yang Junxuan, Cheng Yujie, Zhang Yufei and Wu Qingfeng.

Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.