Raven Saunders, a non-binary shot putter for Team USA, gained some serious media attention at the Paris 2024 Olympics for a look unlike any other Olympian before them and for an on-air mix-up that had a BBC-hosted corrected for misgendering them.
Saunders From the South
Raven Saunders is a non-binary athlete from Charleston, South Carolina, who is taking part in the 2024 Olympic Paris Games, where they represent the United States in Shot Put.
Collegiate Success
Saunders’ journey to the Olympics first began when they dominated in collegiate competitions, where they won NCAA shot put titles at Southern Illinois and Ole Miss in 2015 and 2016.
Tokyo Olympics
At the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, Saunders gave a noteworthy performance and managed to secure a silver medal for their Olympic debut.
Personal Struggles and Resilience
Despite their success, Saunders has faced plenty of personal challenges, including a risky hip surgery and the unexpected death of their mother shortly after the Tokyo Olympics.
Missing Tests
Saunders was also suspended for 18 months after missing three doping tests within a 12-month period, forcing them to miss the 2023 World Championships for the violation.
Coming Back For Paris
These personal difficulties and suspension nearly led Saunders to quit the sport, but in the end, Saunders returned to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Finding the Light
Reflecting on their journey, Saunders said, “No matter how dark it gets, no matter how tough – there will be light.”
Ending in 11th
However, despite their best efforts, Saunders finished their Paris Olympic Hourney in 11th place for the women’s shot put final, falling unfortunately short of their silver medal performance from Tokyo.
Announcing Incorrect Pronouns
Despite Saunders’ best efforts falling short of Gold, they still managed to find themselves in media headlines after BBC commentator Jazmin Sawyers corrected co-host Steve Backley for using incorrect pronouns.
On-Air Misgendering Incident
During the shot put event, BBC commentator Steve Backley referred to Saunders using incorrect pronouns by calling Saunders “her” multiple times despite their preferred pronouns being widely publicized.
A Colorful Character
Referencing Saunders’ signature mask during the broadcast, Backley said, “The colorful character of Raven Saunders back. Good to see her back, sort of. Sort of see her, I mean.”
Raven Saunders’ Distinctive Persona
Saunders has become known for their vibrant, theatrical persona, often adopting the alter-ego of ‘The Hulk’ during competitions. This persona, along with their colorful appearance, is a key part of their identity and competitive mindset.
Becoming the Hulk
Part of Saunders’ performances are often characterized by their vibrant and theatrical persona, adopting an alter-ego they call “The Hulk” during the competitions.
Reminding People Who They Are
In an interview about their performance, Saunders said, “I’m in full form,” and “I had to remind the people, I am who I am.”
Co-Commentator’s Correction
After Backley’s mistake, his co-commentator, Jazmin Sawyers, promptly corrected the pronoun error on-air, reminding viewers and her costar that Saunders is non-binary.
Interesting Attire
“Well we can’t see them very well. Raven Saunders is actually non-binary and wearing the mask there. We’re quite used to seeing them in interesting attire,” Sawyers stated during the broadcast.
Responding to the Incident
After the misgendering incident, BBC was reached out to by multiple media outlets, but they have yet to give a statement on the incident.
Mental Health and Identity
Saunders has openly discussed their struggles with mental health and has found inspiration from the Marvel character Hulk, using this persona as a way to manage emotions and focus during competitions.
Learning to Compartmentalize
“I learned how to compartmentalize, the same way that Bruce Banner learned to control the Hulk,” Saunders explained in a 2021 interview.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / William Barton.
The images used are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the actual people or places mentioned in the article.
