Heartbreaking news for Raven Saunders and her family. The proudly out, lesbian athlete won a silver medal for Team USA on Sunday in the women’s shot put event.
Yesterday, Saunders, 25, announced that her mom, to whom she was close, had passed away. Clarissa Saunders died in Orlando, Florida. Some family members told WCBD-TV, a news station in Saunders’ hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, that she died at an Olympics watch party. The date of her death has not been confirmed.
Saunders Tweeted that she was taking a break from social media to concentrate on her mental health and family.
“Hoping off social media for a while to take care of my mental and my family. My mama was a great woman and will forever live through me. My number one guardian angel. I will always and forever love you.”
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Hoping off social media for a while to take care of my mental and my family. My mama was a great woman and will forever live through me. My number one guardian angel 🙏🏾 I will always and forever love you. https://t.co/XWOjE56EjI
— Raven HULK Saunders (@GiveMe1Shot) August 3, 2021
Saunders, nicknamed ‘Hulk’, has won hearts and fans over the past few days for both her athleticism and being, in her own words, “A flaming gay”.
I just wanna give a s/o to older lesbians. Ik many of you weren’t allowed to grow up and live in your truth but you are greatly appreciated!!! -Signed a Flaming Gay
— Raven HULK Saunders (@GiveMe1Shot) July 29, 2021
When you defeat all the other masc lesbians. This is the final boss!!! pic.twitter.com/9QHx4de3lO
— Raven HULK Saunders (@GiveMe1Shot) August 1, 2021
The athlete made headlines around the world with her medal-winning performance on Sunday. Firstly, she chose to celebrate her success with some impromptu twerking. Then, when she took the podium, she crossed her arms above her head in the shape of an ‘X’.
She later said she wanted to acknowledge the different communities to which she belonged, telling NBC it represented, “the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet.”
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Commenting on the gesture to Associated Press, she said: “Shout out to all my black people. Shout out to all my LGBTQ community. Shout out to all my people dealing with mental health. At the end of the day, we understand it’s bigger than us and it’s bigger than the powers that be. We understand that there’s so many people that are looking up to us, that are looking to see if we say something or if we speak up for them.”
The International Olympics Committee, which bans athletes from making what it deems are political gestures on the podium, subsequently announced it was looking into the incident.
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Today, following the news of Saunders’ mother’s passing, the IOC said it was suspending its investigation.
Spokesperson Mark Saunders said its action against Saunders is, “fully suspended for the time being.
“As many of you will have done, we heard the very sad news this morning of the passing of Raven Saunders’ mother,” Adams said. “The IOC obviously extends its condolences to Raven and her family. (The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has) informed us that she is being looked after and will be returning home.”
Related: The moment Tom Daley discovers he’s won Olympic gold with partner Matty Lee
Kangol2
Such a sad story after the great news about Raven Saunders winning the silver medal. Her out, pro-lesbian stance was refreshing to see. I hope Saunders’ mother at least had the opportunity to see her daughter’s incredible achievement before she passed. I also hope Saunders gets the mental health support she needs as she grieves.
jayceecook
This is effing tragic. To go from such a high to such a low in a matter of days is no doubt a major struggle no matter what your mental health is like. I feel for her. I lost my Mom who I was deeply close to almost four years ago and it has not been easy. For some, time only makes the pain worse. I wish Raven Saunders well.
Cam
So sorry for her loss, and what an amazing woman, proudly out, giving a shout out to the people who weren’t allowed to do what she did. A shame she is going through this and I hope she and her family are doing allright.
Hank31
Hopefully the IOC investigation will resume after a suitable period of mourning has passed.
LeBlevsez
Its nice that you are willing to recognize “a suitable period of mourning”. Its disheartening that you’re unable to recognize what a suitable subject of investigation might be. Raven Saunders explained her gesture. If acknowledging the intersection of communities is too much for you, maybe reruns of the Lawrence Welk show on PBS will soothe your troubled mind.
Cam
Right wing troll account incensed that she dared proclaim her being out of the closet.
Robert Bradley
I’m curious why you posted this? An explanation will be appreciated but certainly not a requirement. There seems to be a lot of discord on this site which I think is counterproductive to this site. But I am curious on your post.
Hank31
@Robert Bradley Hi. Thanks for your reply. I agree with you that there seems to be a lot of discord on this site. It made me hesitant to sign up, but I gave it a shot anyway. I try to express my views w/o name-calling or insults, which aren’t effective anyway.
The reason I made that comment is the same reason most everyone else has commented here. Because it is my honest opinion about the article above. The article specifically mentions her protest and the IOC investigation, so my comment is on topic. In my view, it is vital that the IOC enforce its rules vigorously. There are something like 190 countries that participate in the Olympics and in every one, there are issues about which athletes might like to protest. If the IOC doesn’t enforce its rules, the Olympics could easily turn into a venue to air political grievances, which is not what the games are about. No exception should be made for a entitled American like Saunders, although I agree with their delaying it for a bit, given the loss of her mother.
Cam
@Hank31
Oh give it a rest, you’ve been on the other threads doing your usual troll antic of defending bigots or attacking LGBTQ people.
You aren’t slick, your troll game is boring and obvious.
D_Bro
My heart goes out to Raven. She showed young LGBTQ+ kids that everyone can make a difference. And then to lose her mother is tragic. I hope she can keep shining her light in the future. The world needs more people like Raven.
nitejonboy
I feel her pain right now, I lost my mom four years ago and it hasn’t gotten any easier yet. It’s so tragic that it happened while they were celebrating her win, I pray that she was able to see her win before she passed. And if not, she’s definitely got a front row seat now. Prayers to her and her family.
hotdogla
So sorry for your loss, sounds like you loved her so much. xoxo
joeboyle49
CONGRATS TO RAVEN FOR HER WIN. SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR MOM. MAY SHE R.I.P.