US medalist Raven Saunders protests X at Olympic gala in support of persecuted

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Team USA’s Raven Saunders used her second-place win in Tokyo to speak out on behalf of the “oppressed,” she said, likely violating Olympic rules over political protest during the Games.

Saunders, 25, raised her hands in an “X” formation above her head Sunday during a photo shoot on the catwalk after the medal ceremony as she accepted the silver medal in the women’s shot put event. When asked about the meaning of the symbol, she told The Associated Press, “It’s an intersection where all oppressed people meet.”

“Shout out to all the black people. Shout out to all my LGBTQ community. Shout out to all my people dealing with mental health,” Saunders said.

She later spoke to reporters about how important the win was to her, after she struggled with financial hardship and depression. Saunders, a native of South Carolina who is openly gay, said her win was much more than her own.

“I’m surprised, because I know I’ve been asked by a lot of people,” Saunders said. “It’s about to inspire a lot of young girls, a lot of young boys, a lot of gays, people who have fought suicide. A lot of people have almost given up… It’s not like that, it’s not just about me.”

Saunders uses the nickname “The Hulk,” and went to the field on Sunday with his purple and green hair. She also delighted fans by dancing after her victory, speaking in a live broadcast.

She choked in an interview after the win, describing her trip to Tokyo after years of struggling with mental health issues.

“Everything I’ve been through in the past five years has been crazy,” Saunders said. “I remember many times I was sitting in my car, crying and not knowing how to pay my bills. I don’t know if I would be healthy, but I gave her everything I had.”

The gesture was likely a violation of the Olympic Charter, which added a rule against demonstrations in 1975. It is unclear what consequences the IOC might impose.

Saunders wrote on Twitter: “Let them try and take this medal. I’m running across the border even though I can’t swim.”

This issue has appeared before with American hammer thrower Gwen Berry. She raised her grip on the podium after winning a hammer throw at the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru, leading to a year-long probationary period by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Since then, the committee has apologized to Berry.

Doha Madani is a breaking news reporter for NBC News. Pronouns: he/she.

The Associated Press contributed.

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