Warner Bros. Discovery's sports network has swiftly taken action, severing ties with seasoned commentator Bob Ballard from their Olympics team, following a viral clip where he jestingly made light of Australia's female swimmers. The incident sparked outrage, prompting Eurosport, a subsidiary under Warner Bros. Discovery's umbrella, to promptly dismiss Ballard from their prestigious Olympic coverage.
After the triumphant Australian women's 4x100-meter freestyle relay team clinched gold, Ballard's flippant remark, suggesting the athletes lingered post-race due to "women's penchant for lingering and makeup," echoed through the airwaves. His fellow commentator and former Olympic gold medalist, Lizzie Simmonds, swiftly countered with a witty reproach, "Outrageous, Bob. Some of the men are guilty of that too," eliciting a chuckle from Ballard before the moment swiftly escalated into a social media storm.
Eurosport's swift condemnation was unwavering: "During a segment of our coverage, commentator Bob Ballard uttered an unacceptable comment. Consequently, his services have been immediately terminated from our commentary lineup."
Ballard, a veteran in the sports journalism realm with decades of Olympic coverage for esteemed outlets like the BBC, addressed the controversy on X (formerly Twitter), expressing sincere regret. "It was never my intention to offend or diminish anyone. If I have, I profoundly apologize. I am a fervent supporter of women's sports. I deeply miss the Eurosport family and wish them the utmost success for the remainder of the Olympics."
The incident also cast a shadow over the Paris Olympics, with criticism simmering over a segment of Friday's lavish opening ceremony. A performance, staged against the serene backdrop of the Seine, featuring drag queens, a transgender model, and a Dionysus-inspired singer, stirred controversy among religious viewers who deemed it a disrespectful parody of Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper.'
However, the Olympics' artistic director, Thomas Jolly, clarified to French television that the intention was to evoke "a grand pagan festival tied to the gods of Olympus," emphasizing that 'The Last Supper' was not the intended reference. Paris 2024's representative, Anne Descamps, echoed this sentiment, assuring Reuters that "there was never a malicious intent to offend any religious group. The ceremony aimed to celebrate inclusivity and tolerance. If anyone feels offended, we sincerely apologize."
