August 8th 2024.
During the Paris 2024 Olympics, there was some commotion during the women's shot put qualifying event at the Stade de France. A BBC commentator, Steve Backley, mistakenly referred to American athlete Raven Saunders as "her" instead of using their preferred pronouns, they-them. Luckily, Backley's co-host, Jazmin Sawyers, quickly corrected him and reminded viewers that Saunders identifies as non-binary.
Backley had also commented on Saunders' unique appearance, referring to them as a "colorful character" and noting their mask, green and purple hair, and gold grills. It turns out, Saunders had been wearing a mask since the start of the pandemic and found it helped them get into the zone while competing. They also enjoyed expressing their individuality through their appearance.
The incident was captured on camera and shared on social media, sparking some controversy and criticism. However, Sawyers and Backley continued to provide commentary during the event, with Sawyers mentioning Saunders' non-binary identity and unique attire.
Despite the distraction and attention, Saunders managed to qualify for the women's shot put final with a third throw of 18.62m. They promised to bring an even bolder look for the final, determined to go one better than their silver medal win at the previous Olympics in Tokyo.
In an interview back in 2021, Saunders had explained their decision to wear a mask while competing, comparing it to the Hulk's transformation. They had struggled with mental health issues and found that wearing the mask helped them compartmentalize and control their emotions, much like the Hulk's transformation for Bruce Banner. Saunders also mentioned wanting to inspire others through their journey.
Despite some struggles leading up to the Paris Games, Saunders was determined to perform well and make their supporters proud. They said, "If I made this team, when I made this team, it was for the people. It was for the people that reminded me of who I was when I was down, when I was out, when I was suspended." When asked about their plans for the final, Saunders simply replied, "I have something even better." It seems we can expect another bold and unique look from Saunders in the final event.
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