The Australian women's Olympic swim team just won gold. A male commentator focused on something else.

In the cool waters of the Paris Olympic pool, Australia's women's 4x100m freestyle relay team etched their names into the annals of sporting history on the morning of Sunday, July 28.

Mollie O'Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris touched the wall in an incredible 3:28.92 time, securing Australia's fourth consecutive gold in this event.

Australia's women's team stood proudly atop the podium, gold medals slung around their necks in what was undoubtedly yet another proud moment for the athletes, and for the nation.

Yet, in the moments following this extraordinary feat, a handful of words from the commentary box cast a shadow over their glory. 

"Well, the women just finishing up," remarked EuroSport commentator Bob Ballard. "You know what women are like… hanging around, doing their make-up."

Bob Ballard hang your head in shame and get off the broadcast and back to the 1930s
Commentating for EuroSport he’s used a sexist slur as the Aussie women RIGHTLY celebrated together
“The women just finishing up. You know what women are like, hanging around, doing their make-up” pic.twitter.com/JRpsLUc15m

— Emily Benammar (@EmilyBenammar) July 28, 2024

In an instant, four world-class athletes were reduced to tired stereotypes. Their powerful strokes, their years of sacrifice, their Olympic gold medals—all of it momentarily overshadowed by an offhand comment about cosmetics.

The comment, swiftly denounced by Ballard's female co-commentator as "outrageous," resulted in his sudden removal from the air. But the damage was done.

As we celebrate the fourth consecutive relay gold, we're forced to confront an uncomfortable truth: even in 2024, female athletes continue to battle not just their competitors, but also deeply ingrained societal prejudices.

A day following the event, it's been confirmed that Eurosport have taken Ballard off the air.

"During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment," a statement read.

"To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect."

Sexism in sport.

The sports world has a long and troubling history of diminishing women's achievements and expertise. The incident with Bob Ballard is merely the latest in a series of high-profile cases that highlight the persistent problem of sexism in sports media.

In a 2004 interview, Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) President Sepp Blatter claimed female soccer players wear skimpier uniforms and tighter shorts to both promote "a more female aesthetic" and "increase popularity of the game".

He went on to say, "Let the women play in more feminine clothes like they do in volleyball… Female players are pretty, you excuse me for saying so, and they already have some different rules to men — such as playing with a lighter ball. That decision was taken to create a more female aesthetic, so why not do it in fashion?"

In 2013, BBC commentator John Inverdale remarked that Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli was "never going to be a looker", reducing her athletic prowess to her appearance.

"Do you think Bartoli's dad told her when she was little, 'You're never going to be a looker. You'll never be a Sharapova, so you have to be scrappy and fight,'" Inverdale said at the time.

In 2017, NFL quarterback Cam Newton also sparked outrage during a press conference when he responded to a question from reporter Jourdan Rodrigue about receiver routes. Before answering, Newton smirked and said, "It's funny to hear a female talk about routes. It's funny."

The question Rodrigue had posed was entirely professional: "I know you take a lot of pride in seeing your receivers play well. Devin Funchess has seemed to really embrace the physicality of his routes and getting those extra yards. Does that give you a little bit of enjoyment to see him truck-sticking people?"

Rodrigue later tweeted, "I don't think it's 'funny' to be a female and talk about routes. I think it's my job."

She said in another statement that she was was "dismayed by his response, which not only belittled me but countless other women before me and beside me who work in similar jobs. I sought Mr Newton out as he left the locker room a few minutes later.

"He did not apologise for his comments."

Comments such as these, spanning years and sports, paint a disturbing picture. They suggest that no matter how fast women swim, how hard they train, or how many records they break, there will always be those who see them as gendered first and athletes second.

The persistence of such attitudes raises uncomfortable questions. 

How many young girls have abandoned their sporting dreams, discouraged by the knowledge that their achievements might be overshadowed by comments about their appearance? How many female athletes have felt the need to focus on their looks as much as their performance, knowing they'll be judged on both?

More importantly, how do we change this narrative?

As we reflect on Australia's golden moment in the pool today, let it serve as more than just another tally for the medal count. Let it be a reminder that true victory extends beyond the podium; a catalyst for change, found in creating a sports culture that respects and celebrates athletes for their abilities, regardless of gender.

The women of Australia's relay team have shown us what dedication and talent can achieve. Their victory lap should not be marred by outdated stereotypes. It's time for the world of sports commentary to catch up; to match the excellence we see in the pool and on the field with excellence in the broadcast booth.

Feature image: Getty.

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