OLYMPIC VIEWERS were left confused by Olympic medallist Raven Saunders’ choice to don a mask for the Paris 2024 Games.
But why did they do it and why does the athlete go by the nickname “Hulk”?
Raven is an American athlete from South Carolina, who specialises in shotput.
Raven is openly queer and goes by they/them pronouns.
They began their sporting career in high school, where they received the Gatorade Female Track and Field Athlete of the Year award.
In 2014, Raven placed first at the US Junior Championships and received a silver medal at the World Junior Championships in Athletics.
Raven crowdfunded the journey to the World Junior Championships in Oregon, which is over 3000 miles from their hometown in South Carolina.
Their efforts were not in vain, as the competition helped launch Raven’s shotput career.
They went on to win a silver medal in shotput, at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The silver-winning throw was measured at 19.79 m.
Tragically, Raven lost their mother just days after her Olympic win.
Also, Raven was investigated for her protest on the podium where they made an “X” shape with their arms.
She said the “X” shape represented “the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet.”
The investigation was dropped after the death of their mother.
Raven wears masks during their games and these masks often completely cover their face.
They range from balaclavas to hulk masks, referencing their in-game persona known as “Hulk”.
The persona takes its name from the Marvel comic book character.
It allows “Raven” to alleviate some of the in-game pressure, as it is “Hulk” that is competing.
Raven began wearing masks during the COVID pandemic, but continued wearing one so they could focus and not talk to their fellow competitors.
Raven qualified for the Olympic shotput, with a throw that reached 18.62m.
Their qualifying throw was over a metre behind Canada’s Sarah Mitton, who threw the shotput 19.77m, but they are still hopeful that they can win a medal.
Raven will play in the Olympic shotput final on August 9, 2024.
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY
TODAY’S BRIT MEDAL HOPES
More medals to be won in the velodrome with Emma Finucane eyeing gold in the women’s keirin (4.15pm) while Ethan Hayter goes in the men’s omnium (4pm).
The 3m men’s springboard diving final could be a chance for Jack Laugher to claim a fifth Olympic medal (2pm).
World champ and Tokyo silver medallist Bradly Sinden plus London and Rio gold star Jade Jones both go in the taekwondo (from 9.55am).
BRITS TO WATCH
The heptathlon begins at 9am with Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Jade O’Dowda taking on the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200m today.
The 4x100m men’s and women’s relays start with round one this morning (from 10.10am).
And Georgia Hall and Charley Hull have their second round at the golf (from 8am),
GLOBAL STARS TODAY
The men’s US basketball team face Serbia at 8pm hoping to book their place in the final.
The all-conquering Netherlands take on Germany for men’s hockey gold (6pm).
And there will be a host of athletics superstars in the finals on the track, with the men’s 200m (Noah Lyles) and men’s 110m hurdles (Grant Holloway) golds all up for grabs this evening from 7pm.
FANCY SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
Still time to get some beach volleyball action with the semi-finals from 4pm right by the Eiffel Tower.
Alternatively, the women’s handball semis feature Sweden vs France (3.30pm) and Norway vs Denmark (8.30pm).
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.
