TV commentator suspended over ‘scandalous’ comments made live on air during Paris Olympics opening ceremony

A TV host has been SUSPENDED after “scandalous” comments they made during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.

Polish broadcaster Telewizja Polska slapped a ban on presenter Przemysław Babiarz with immediate effect following the comments made live on air.

AFP

During the Olympics opening ceremony, singer Juliette Armanet sang John Lennon song Imagine – said to be considered the unofficial Olympic anthem – alongside a piano player.

The song lyrics reference the hope of a world without heaven, nations or religion where people live in harmony.

However, during the live showing of the ceremony Babiarz said: “A world without heaven, nations and religions.

“This vision of peace that should apply to all people. Unfortunately, that is a vision of communism.”

Following huge backlash online, Telewizja Polska released a statement condemning the words.

They said: “Mutual understanding, tolerance, reconciliation – these are not only the basic Olympic ideas, they are also the basis of the standards that guide the new Polish television.

“There is no consent to break them.

“We would like to inform you that following yesterday’s scandalous words, Przemysław Babiarz has been suspended from his official duties and will no longer be in action during the Olympic Games.”

It is not the first time the 60-year-old mocked the song Imagine, previously doing so two years ago during the winter Olympics in Beijing, though at the time his employer only issued a warning.

The opening ceremony split opinion among viewers, with some fans labelling the epic £120million ceremony as “woke” as others called it the “greatest show on earth”.

A Eurosport commentator for the Games was also axed after making a sexiest remark about Australia’s female swimmers.

Broadcaster Bob Ballard, who has worked for the BBC in the past, made the shocking comment following the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay in Paris.

Australia‘s team of Emma McKeon, Shayna Jack, Mollie O’Calloghan and Meg Harris won gold in the pool, but had their moment tainted on the commentary as they were leaving the Paris Aquatic Centre.

Seven bizarre moments you might have missed from the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony

PARIS 2024’s epic four-hour long Opening Ceremony provided some spectacular, X-rated… and downright bizarre moments.

Here are some of SunSport’s highlights.

Lady Gaga wowed the crowd by the River Seine as sang a cabaret set… in FRENCH.

But it didn’t go to plan for one poor dancer who FELL OFF the stage.

Fans watching on TV were left in stitches by some of the dad dancing on show.

And one dancer gave a BILLION fans viewing worldwide far more than they bargained for with an Inbetweeners-style X-rated wardrobe mishap.

In the UK, BBC viewers were all switching over to Eurosport when they found out who was hosting.

Fans were stunned to see a forgotten Premier League winner as his nation’s flag-bearer on the Seine procession.

While some viewers were worried Serena Williams was going to THROW UP during a very choppy boat ride with the Olympic torch.

During their exit, Ballard said: “Well, the women just finishing up. You know what women are like… hanging around, doing their make-up.”

The Brit has since been removed from the broadcasting team by Eurosport.

The Olympic broadcasters released a statement that 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.”

While Ballard’s colleague Lizzie Simmonds, who was commentating alongside him for the coverage, described his comments as “outrageous”.

What's happening today at The Games?

WHAT TO WATCH TODAY...

THE PARIS 2024 Olympics is now well underway with medals being ticked off and huge events still to come.

SunSport brings you all the action taking place in the French capital on a what is expected to be a huge third day.

Tom Daley looks to retain his 10m synchro diving gold, this time with Noah Williams instead of Matty Lee (10am).

Tatt-mad Matt Richards and Tokyo silver star Duncan Scott are battling for 200m freestyle gold in the swimming pool (7.40pm).

Tom Pidcock goes in the mountain biking cross-country after winning gold three years ago (1.10pm) and it is the finals of equestrian eventing (team 11.15am, individual 2pm).

The men’s team gymnastics final – featuring Max Whitlock – starts at 4.30pm.

In hockey, Team GB women face Australia in their second pool match of this year, looking to make it bronze, gold, bronze, gold in the last four Olympics (4pm).

And there are Brits galore in the sailing down in Marseille (from 11am).

Swimmers Lilly King, Tatjana Smith, Ruta Meilutyte and Tang Qianting make up a star-studded quartet going for women’s 100m breaststroke gold (8.30pm).

It’s Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal in a blockbuster second-round singles clash at Roland Garros, the tennis superstars’ 60th and probably final meeting (12.30pm).

Ukraine’s six-time fencing world champion Olha Kharlan was sent a personal letter by IOC chief Thomas Bach guaranteeing her place at a fifth Olympics.

She was disqualified from the fencing world champs last year for refusing to shake hands with her Russian opponent. The women’s sabre final is at 8.45pm.

Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.

Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.