IOC looking into Olympian Raven Saunders’ podium protest

The International Olympic Committee says it is looking into Raven Saunders’ “X” hand gesture on the podium after winning silver in shot put.

Saunders told reporters following the ceremony that the “X” stood for “the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet.”

The Team USA shot-putter’s statement may, however, violate the rules prohibiting protests on Olympic podiums.

Saunders seemingly referred to the controversy in a Twitter post on Sunday, stating, “Let them try and take this medal.”

Let them try and take this medal. I’m running across the border even though I can’t swim 😂 https://t.co/B59N2v9KAk

— Raven HULK Saunders (@GiveMe1Shot) August 1, 2021