BBC commentator Steve Backley was corrected live on air after failing to use the preferred pronouns for Team USA shot putter Raven Saunders. The 28-year-old, a silver medalist in Tokyo three years ago, made it through to the women’s final on Thursday.
The athlete’s effort of 18.62 metres was enough for fourth place in Group B.
And during competition, Saunders wore the now trademark mask that covers the American’s face.
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Backley, a former Olympic javelin silver medalist, repeatedly described to Saunders as ‘her’ during the live coverage in the Stade de France. Backley’s co-host Jazmin Sawyers duly pointed out that the star identifies as non-binary, and uses different pronouns.
Backley had said: “The colourful character of Raven Saunders back. Good to see her back, sort of.” Awkwardly referencing the mask, he added: “Sort of see her, I mean.”
Sawyers replied: “Well we can’t see them very well. Raven Saunders actually non-binary and wearing the mask there, we’re quite used to seeing them with interesting atire.”
Saunders, who has previously been vocal about mental health issues and the ‘Incredible Hulk’ persona the athlete is associated with, has previously explained the reasoning of the mask. In 2021, they said: “I learned how to compartmentalize.
“The same way that Bruce Banner learned to control the Hulk, learned how to let the Hulk come out during the right moments. That way it also gave him a sign of mental peace.”
Saunders competing in Paris signifies a rapid comeback after only returning from an 11-month ban in February this year. The former NCAA champion was suspended by USADA for missing three doping tests, due to ‘whereabouts failures’.
A subsequent statement on behalf of the athlete read: “Saunders has accepted full responsibility for their failure to update their whereabouts according to the prescribed procedure on multiple occasions.
“The time during their suspension will be used to focus on their mental health. The will also intensify their training to prepare for the Paris Olympics.”
