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The three-time Olympian, who uses they/them pronouns, has made headlines at the Games for their unique style inside the circle.
Saunders is known for their frequently dyed buzz cut hair and is sporting a half green-half purple style in Paris, which they say is an ode to the comic-book character Hulk.
“Through my journey, especially dealing with mental health and things like that, 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, and that way it also gave him a sign of mental peace,” they told Yahoo Sports in 2021.
Stepping into the circle, the Tokyo 2020 silver-medallist is often sporting a mask that covers the majority of their face.
This is usually complemented by sunglasses.
Fans have been left wondering if the use of a mask helps improve Saunders’ technique or if it is simply a fashion statement - until the Charleston-born athlete revealed the reason they choose to cover their face.
Speaking to the media, Saunders revealed that they became comfortable wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore have continued to wear them since as it helps them avoid distractions.
The 28-year-old also suggested that their collection of masks - paired with their hair, nails, and gold teeth grills - is a way to make them stand out.
“It is one way to make me stand out and I want to encourage other women – a lot of younger athletes are coming through and they really push their own styles.
It limits the showcase that we are shot putters, but we have our own style, we can do things as big and bright as any sprinter, any jumper, whoever.
So we deserve that spotlight as well.
”TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 01: Raven Saunders of Team United States makes an 'X' gesture during the medal ceremony for the Women's Shot Put on day nine of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 01, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Raven Saunders has long been a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.
They themselves identify as gay and when collecting their silver medal in Tokyo, Saunders formed an ‘X’ shape with their wrists in a continued show of advocacy.
“The intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet,” they explained afterwards, before adding that their silver medal was for “people all around the world who are fighting and don’t have the platform to speak up for themselves.
”