Commentator Bob Ballard has been axed from Eurosport's coverage of the Paris Olympics for making a controversial remark after Australia's women won 4x100m freestyle relay gold.

Mollie O'Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris dominated the team event after their compatriot, Ariarne Titmus, won gold in the women's 400m freestyle earlier in the evening.

A clip of Ballard's commentary after Australia's relay triumph went viral on social media and sparked widespread criticism. He said: "Well, the women just finishing up. You know what women are like… hanging around, doing their make-up."

Ballard's co-commentator, Lizzie Simmonds, described the remark as 'outrageous'. Eurosport have since removed Ballard from their coverage of the 2024 Games and released an official statement.

It 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."

Ballard posted swimming updates to his personal social media accounts throughout Sunday, which included a video alongside co-commentator Simmonds. He is yet to comment publicly on his dismissal.

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Australia's women swam the second-quickest 4x100 relay time in history (3:28.92) on Saturday to clinch a set of four gold medals for their relay team. One of the quartet, McKeon, was over the moon at having won her sixth Olympic gold medal, and her 12th Olympic medal overall.

"Wow. I don't keep track of that kind of stuff... it's an honour really," said the 30-year-old, who is competing at her final Olympic Games. "To be part of this team, it's extremely hard and this is a team of six with Bronte (Campbell) and Liv (Olivia Wunsch) - 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."

McKeon's team-mate, Jack, missed the last Olympics due to a contested doping ban which was later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport 'on the balance of probabilities'.

"It's a really special moment to stand on the podium with the other three girls, and represent the other girls from our heat swim," she said in Paris. "I'm really proud of myself and how far I've come, but I definitely missed that opportunity in 2021."