Olympic shot putter Raven Saunders causes stir competing in mask and sunglasses

• American aiming to upgrade silver they won in Tokyo
• Saunders says mask helps maintain focus

Raven Saunders made a splash during the shot put qualification at the Paris Olympics on Thursday as the American attempts to upgrade from their silver medal at the Tokyo Games.

Saunders - who uses they/them pronouns - wore a full-face black mask and sunglasses as they attempted to make the final. Their hair was also dyed green and purple, set off with gold grills over their teeth. I'm in full form," Saunders said of the outfit. I had to remind the people, I am who I am."