BBC commentator Steve Backley was corrected live on air after failing to use the preferred pronouns for American shot putter Raven Saunders. The 28-year-old, a silve medalist in Tokyo three years ago, made it through to the women’s final on Thursday.
The athlete’s effort of 18.62 metres was enough for fourth place in Group B.
And during competition, Saunders again wore a mask to cover her face.
Backley, a former Olympic javelin silver medalist, repeatedly described to Saunders as ‘her’ during the live coverage in the Stade de France. Backley’s co-host Jazmin Sawyers duly pointed out that the star identifies as non-binary, and uses different pronouns.
Backley had said: “The colourful character of Raven Saunders back. Good to see her back, sort of.” Awkwardly referencing the mask, he added: “Sort of see her, I mean.”
Sawyers replied: “Well we can’t see them very well. Raven Saunders actually non-binary and wearing the mask there, we’re quite used to seeing them with interesting atire.”
Saunders, who has previously been vocal about mental health issues and the ‘Incredible Hulk’ persona the athlete is associated with, has previously explained the wearing of the mask. In 2021, they said: “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. That way it also gave him a sign of mental peace.”
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