Disgraced Olympic commentator Bob Ballard has fired back at the ‘massive overreaction’ to the sexist comment which saw him removed from his position by Eurosport.
The veteran broadcaster was stood down in the aftermath of his comment aimed in the direction of Australia’s triumphant four-by-100 metres freestyle relay team.
‘Well, the women just finishing up,’ said Ballard, who has previously covered sports events for BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT.
‘You know what women are like… hanging around, doing their make-up.’
Eurosport co-commentator Lizzie Simmonds described the comment as ‘outrageous’.
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Ballard was swiftly pulled from Eurosport’s roster after which a statement was released which read: ‘During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment.
‘To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect.’
Breaking his silence on social media earlier this week, Ballard has said it was ‘never my intention to upset or belittle anyone’, also urging people not to ‘pile on’ his former co-presenter Simmonds.
‘The comments I made during the Australian freestyle relay victory ceremony on Saturday have caused some offence,’ Ballard tweeted on Monday.
‘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.
‘P.s. Don’t pile in on @LizzieSimmonds1 – please! She has nothing to do with this.’
Having intimated he was intending to remain silent on the issue, Ballard spoke with LBC presenter Carol Vorderman live on air on Tuesday afternoon thanking the members of the public who have shown him support during a trying time.
He said: ‘I am overwhelmed by the reaction I’ve had from the British public.
‘It was a throwaway line – some people might say it’s a bit old-fashioned but it was never meant to offend.
‘It was never meant to upset everybody and I think there’s been a massive over-reaction from my employers.
‘I’m dealing with it as best I can right now.’