Australian Olympian Ryan Gregson Apologizes For Offensive Comments On Female Runners

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Apr 28, 2026 4:12 PM ET

Two-time Olympian Ryan Gregson is under serious fire for a comment he made on the "For The Kudos" podcast.

Gregson, 36, represented Australia as a middle-distance runner at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Although he didn't spark any controversy during his own career, he generated plenty of outrage for a remark about a recent 10km race.

The former Olympian unknowingly referred to 10km world record holder Agnes Jebet Ngetich as just a "girl."

"Funny one, so they did a 10k recently. And I think Liam ran about, I think this may have been 3 weeks ago, Liam ran a 28.20 something and Tim maybe 28.50. But Liam had a girl, Liam had a girl behind him for the first 5k and I just said like, ‘Mate, that would be such a weird experience’. You’re on track for a PB, you know you’re going well but there’s a girl right next to you at halfway. You’re just re-evaluating everything," Gregson said, via Fox Sports.

"You’re like 'I’m on for a career day today, but am I going to be chicked?' He’s not the type of guy who should, that shouldn’t even be going in your head, you’d just be shook. You’d just be going through all your life’s choices like how did I end up here, like why didn’t I study harder or something like that."

Aug 18, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Ryan Gregson (AUS), Ronald Musagala (UGA), Matthew Centrowitz (USA),Asbel Kiprop (KEN) and Abdalaati Iguider (MAR) at the start of the 1,500m during the 2016 Rio Olympics at Estadio Olimpico Joao Havelange. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Gregson receives widespread backlash.

Unsurprisingly, those who listened to this episode of "For The Kudos" were disappointed with Gregson's remarks.

"Only tiny, stupid little men would worry about being 'chicked' in a race," a listener replied. "Thanks for making zero contribution to a safer world for women to run in."

"Tell me you're insecure without telling me you're insecure," another person said.

Gregson issued an apology during the latest episode of "For The Kudos."

"Firstly I owe an apology for my comments on the episode. This isn't a representation of how I see women in sport," Gregson said, via Daily Mail. "My wife is an elite athlete and some of my proudest moments in the sport of running have been watching her win or be successful and beat up on male athletes. Since yesterday, I've locked away from social media because I am ashamed that I have offended so many people. I've read the comments initially and I've seen how offending it's been for women to hear this clip and for that, from the bottom of my heart, I am truly sorry. That isn't me."

Only time will tell if Gregson can earn people's trust back.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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