An olympics commentator was corrected while live on air after misgendering a USA athlete.
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Non-binary star Raven Saunders, who goes by they/them pronouns, competed in the women’s shot put on Thursday to qualify for the final.
Appearing as ‘The Hulk’ alter-ego, the star took to the world’s stage with dyed green and purple hair, a full face mask and green and purple nails.
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However, as BBC commentator Steve Backley introduced the US athlete, he labelled them as female and used she/her pronouns.
Backley was quickly corrected by fellow commentator Jazmin Sawyers. Backley said:
‘The colorful character of Raven Saunders back. Good to see her back, sort of. Sort of see her, I mean,’ [referring to her full face covering]
To which Sawyer’s corrected:
‘Well we can’t actually see them very well. Raven Saunders is actually non-binary and wearing a mask there – we are quite used to seeing them with interesting attire,’.
The incident was not missed on social media, with some taking to X to discuss the role that gender plays in the Olympics:
‘More gender madness at the Olympics in the women’s shot put. The host introduces Raven Saunders, saying ‘it’s good to see her back’.
‘He is promptly corrected by his co-host, saying ‘they are actually non-binary’. If they’re not a woman, why are they in the women’s competition?’
While another said: ‘Anyone supporting this madness is opening the doors for much more to come. Why do we now bother with women’s sports when this continues?’
A third said: ‘What’s with the mask thing? And absolutely, if they don’t identify as a woman, they should not be allowed in the women’s competitions.’
