At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the shot put event has gained extra attention, partly due to an unusual participant from the United States. Raven Saunders, a 28-year-old from South Carolina, made headlines during the women’s shot put qualifications on Thursday by competing in a full-faced black mask and sunglasses. Saunders, who is known for their distinctive style, also sported neon green and purple hair, gold dental grills, and the letters “H-U-L-K” in Team USA colors.
Saunders’ unique appearance is part of their signature look, which they have used in past competitions, including a Day of the Dead mask during the U.S. Olympic Trials and a Hulk mouth mask at the 2020 Tokyo Games. According to Saunders, these unconventional facial coverings help them embody an alter ego and stand out, serving as a source of inspiration for younger athletes to embrace their own styles.
Despite these distractions, Saunders performed impressively, qualifying for the finals with a throw of 17.93 meters on their second attempt and an even better 18.62 meters on their final attempt. This achievement comes after a notable past performance, where Saunders won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Their success follows a period of mental health struggles and a suspension in 2023 due to missed drug tests, which kept them out of the world championships.
Saunders, who previously won NCAA shot put titles in 2015 and 2016 while at Southern Illinois and Ole Miss, continues to push boundaries both on and off the field.
