During the 2024 Paris Olympics, a seemingly innocent comment by BBC commentator Steve Backley quickly turned into a moment of public correction, sparking a conversation about gender identity and misgendering in sports commentary.
Commenting on the women’s shot put qualifying event, Backley made a mistake that will soon be addressed on the air and highlighted a wider issue still being debated in the world of professional athletics.
The commentator was talking about Team USA bowler Raven Saunders accidentally using the wrong pronouns, an incident that raised questions about the awareness and sensitivity required when broadcasting such high-profile events.
Saunders, 28, identifies as non-binary and uses their pronouns. They won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but later received an 18-month ban for missing three doping tests in a 12-month period. After serving their sentence, they returned to the competition.
Commenting on Saunders’ return to the sport, Backley, a former Great Britain javelin thrower, was wrong to say Saunders was wrong.
“Raven Saunders’ colorful character is back,” Backley said, referring to their brightly dyed hair. “Nice to see her back, sort of. Probably to see her somehow.”
Realizing his mistake, he quickly added, “Well, we can’t see them very well. Raven Saunders is actually non-binary and we wear a mask there, we’re quite used to seeing them in unique outfits.’
Saunders started wearing a mask during the pandemic and decided to continue wearing it to avoid distractions.
In Tokyo, they wore an Incredible Hulk mask, which they later explained helped them channel their Hulk persona. Describing the mask as part of a mental health coping mechanism, Saunders said, “Throughout my journey, especially dealing with mental health and things like that, I’ve learned how to compartmentalize, just like Bruce Banner learned to control the Hulk and allow the Hulk to come out in the right moment and when the Hulk came out, they were smashing everything that needed to be smashed.”
In closing, Steve Backley on Raven Saundersbroadcast on misgendering highlights the ongoing importance of respecting individuals’ gender identity, particularly in the context of high-profile sporting events such as the Olympics. The quick correction during the broadcast reflects the growing awareness and understanding of non-binary identities in the mainstream media.
Both an athlete and an individual dealing with mental health issues, Saunders shows their resilience and the power of self-expression, whether through their unique clothing or their choice to wear a mask. Despite the occasional misstep, the conversation about gender inclusiveness continues to evolve, reminding us all that respect and care are needed to foster an inclusive environment.