Raven Saunders pronouns, explained: What to know about USA Olympics shot put star, who goes by they/them

A person with talent — and a style — all their own, Raven Saunders walks to the beat of their own drum.

The American shot put star has no qualms cutting against the grain. In a sport teeming with strength and vigor, Saunders is no exception, rattling off eye-catching tosses with relative ease. They do so in a distinct fashion, however, sporting multi-colored hair, meetculously-painted acrylic nails, and a daunting face mask.

Saunders also differs from the crowd in another, more subtle way. The Charleston, SC, native is lesbian and non-binary, using they/them pronouns. Their gender expression and sexuality — and the way it interacts with their Blackness and their advocacy for mental health support and racial justice — has been a constant presence during their athletic career.

Here's what you need to know about Saunders' pronouns, as well as their journey to figuring out their gender identity over the years.

MORE: Why Raven Saunders wears a Hulk mask during shot put

Raven Saunders pronouns, explained

Saunders uses they/them pronouns, something that BBC co-commentator Jazmin Sawyers highlighted during BBC's coverage of the shot-put prelims on Wednesday. Their pronouns and gender identity make up just one part of the mosaic that is Saunders, who also goes by "Hulk" and strutted into Thursday's event with nails scrawled in red, white, blue...and gold.

The Ole Miss alum first came to national prominence during the Tokyo Olympics, picking up a silver medal in their second Olympic Games with a sterling 19.79m toss to the heavens.

Saunders' win was special enough. The look they sported throughout the competition — with bright green and purple hair and an iconic 'Hulk' mask — garnered interest and praise, as well, but it was a simple gesture they did on the podium — crossing their arms into an 'X' shape — which took the country by storm.

Saunders revealed to reporters that they made the sign not as a symbol to represent their dominance in their signature events, but rather as a reflection of Saunders' solidarity at “the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet."

The IOC proceeded to launch an investigation into Saunders, alleging that they had violated Rule 50 of the Olympic charter — an edict which claims that “gestures of a political nature, like a hand gesture or kneeling,” a la Tommie Smith and John Carlos in 1968, are prohibited. The investigation was eventually dismissed following Saunders' mother's death.

Saunders has continued to attempt to use their platform to embolden those facing oppression, particularly Black women and Black gender non-conforming people. And after returning to competition from an 18-month ban for drug-testing whereabouts failures, they'll look to do so once more, this time in the shot put finals.

"Everything that I’ve been through mental health-wise," Saunders said, per Yahoo Sports, "injuries, everything like that, financial, really being able to invest everything that I have mentally and physically. And be able to walk away with a medal and inspire so many people in the LGBTQ community, so many people who have been dealing with mental health issues, so many of the African-American community, so many people who are Black all around the world, I really hope that I can inspire and motivate."