via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s Shot Put – Medal Ceremony – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 1, 2021. Silver medallist, Raven Saunders of the United States gestures on the podium REUTERS/Hannah Mckay SEARCH “OLYMPICS DAY 11” FOR TOKYO 2020 OLYMPICS EDITOR’S CHOICE, SEARCH “REUTERS OLYMPICS TOPIX” FOR ALL EDITOR’S CHOICE PICTURES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s Shot Put – Medal Ceremony – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – August 1, 2021. Silver medallist, Raven Saunders of the United States gestures on the podium REUTERS/Hannah Mckay SEARCH “OLYMPICS DAY 11” FOR TOKYO 2020 OLYMPICS EDITOR’S CHOICE, SEARCH “REUTERS OLYMPICS TOPIX” FOR ALL EDITOR’S CHOICE PICTURES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Raven Saunders won the Silver medal in the Women’s shot put at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. The American was ecstatic after winning the silver medal. She was also the center of a lot of attention as she made a sign during the podium presentation.
Raven Saunders held up her hands in an X over her head. When asked about it later, she said it represented the intersection where all oppressed people meet.
via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s Shot Put – Qualification – OLS – Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan – July 30, 2021. Raven Saunders of the United States wears a face mask REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
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Raven Saunders bittersweet victory?
Saunders arrived back home with a silver medal and a lot of grief in her heart. The 25-year-old lost her mother two days after she won the Olympic Silver medal. She arrived at the Charleston International airport last Saturday with her sister, Tanzania.
In the same plane, traveling with them was the body of her mother, which lay in the plane’s belly. Clarissa Saunders passed away in Orlando, Florida on August 3. They have not disclosed the cause of her untimely death.
Raven Saunders was a voice for the LGBTQ+ community, she used her platform at the Olympics to raise her voice against oppression. She did what others were too scared to do.
For all of you that can. Could you hug your mother’s a little tighter the next time you see her. The only thing that’s getting to me is that I didn’t get this hug when getting home. pic.twitter.com/UpNLZ7TAOv
— Domenic The Raven (@GiveMe1Shot) August 9, 2021
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At the Airport she addressed the crowd, and the media that had gathered ?There?s two things I say in life that you have to accept, be it physical or mental,? Saunders told the crowd.
?One, that it?s going to hurt, and it?s going to be very painful. No matter how you look at it, it?s going to hurt. But, two, understand that you?re strong enough and worthy enough to accept those challenges and make it through and make it past those things.?
Saunders also spoke about how grateful she was that her mother could watch her compete and win the Silver medal.
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?I?ve had so many people send me pictures and videos with her in it, with a smile bigger than I?ve ever seen on her face before.? Saunders lock screen shows the last text her mother sent her. She congratulated her on winning the silver.
Also read: NFL Team Interested in Recruiting US Wrestling Sensation Gable Steveson After Tokyo Olympics Success
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