Shot putter Raven Saunders was set to show her twerking skills to the world after winning the silver world at the Olympics in Tokyo on Saturday, but the Olympic Broadcasting Services wouldn't let her have her moment.
The camera cut to a different athlete as Saunders started twerking, irking some viewers who wanted to enjoy the shot putter's celebration.
how dare nbc cut away from Raven Saunders, shot put star, as she twerks to celebrate winning a silver medal!!! pic.twitter.com/nfef0ECKfh
— vicky johnson-dahl (@hurricanevicky) August 1, 2021
Some frustrated social media users blamed the Olympic Broadcasting Services, which is responsible for providing coverage of the Olympics to various networks around the world.
"The International Broadcast Centre (IBC) is the temporary home for Olympic Broadcasting Services and the Rights Holding Broadcasters during each Games," the OBS states on its website. "We provide broadcasters with customized space for offices, studios and control rooms, as well as other services. All coverage from each competition venue comes to the IBC before it is transmitted to the world."
https://t.co/7e9bSTkFVI – while I wish we got to see her twerk longer, NBC doesn't control the feed. This link explains how it works.
— Sniffard (@Sniff009) August 1, 2021
No matter who is responsible, most viewers just wanted Saunders to shine on her big day.
Unacceptable to cut away from the artistry! pic.twitter.com/l0w8FR7YLA
— Habiba (@Advocate_Habiba) August 1, 2021
The level of disrespect doesn't stop pic.twitter.com/mZUQV7ISF0
— Dorsey Mc- Get Vaccinated Enjoy Summer ???????????????????? (@Baby50s) August 1, 2021
No matter how short the viewing was, folks nonetheless loved to see it.
Raven Saunders hit that celebratory twerk and you love to see it ????✨????
— Cupid Valentino (@shEgoTripn) August 1, 2021
Olympic hurdler Queen Harrison rallied behind her fellow athlete.
RAVEN SAUNDERS! @GiveMe1Shot????OLYMPIC SHOT PUT SILVER MEDALIST! AHHHH!!!
CONGRATULATIONSSSSSSSSSS!!!!
And then the imaginary hair flip & twerk at the end was *chef’s kiss* hahaha!— Queen Harrison-Claye (@goQueengo) August 1, 2021
But Saunders made another statement on Sunday after receiving her medal. The shot putter was seen crossing her arms in an “X” to advocate for oppressed people around the world. Saunders, who is openly gay, said the symbol represents "the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet.”
She said there was a time in her life where she was on her way to “carrying (out) an attempt to end her life,” devastated by the poverty and depression ravaging the Black community.
“If not for sending a text to an old therapist I would not be here (right now),” she said. “All these things weighing on me for 22 years, I was finally able to process it. I was finally able to separate Raven from ‘The Hulk.’”