Olympic fans left confused as Raven Saunders wears a bizarre mask and shades combination for the shot put event - but 'The Hulk' has revealed the powerful reason behind it

If you watch the women's shot put event at the Olympics,you might notice an athlete wearing a mask and shodes and sporting vibrant green and purple hair. 

That would be none other than Raven Saunders,who has become known for adopting a distinctive look. 

The Tokyo silver medalist is back at the Games and fans will be hoping to see a repeat of the Hulk mask Saunders wore in 2021. It's not often you see an Olympics-Marvel crossover. 

But why the concerted effort to have such a distinctive appearance? Saunders has revealed the mask deters other athletes to boost concentration and self-motivation,but it's also part of embracing the 'Hulk' alter ego. 

'I like to be my biggest supporter — I really can't repeat [what I say] because y'all are going to have to bleep out most of the things I say anyway,' Saunders,who prefers they/them pronouns,told Yahoo Sport. 

The American athlete took home silver in Tokyo and is hoping for one better this time 

In 2021,the shot put sensation told Action 5 News that suicidal thoughts had been overbearing on occasion. 

'I wanted to show people that it is real,you know there are many of us that deal with this,' Saunders said. 'I wanted to be the one that says something and showed how close I was,and to someone else going down that route you're not on your own.' 

Olympics