#Raven Saunders protest probe suspended after Olympian’s mother dies

The International Olympic Committee has temporarily suspended their probe into Raven Saunders’ protest demonstration after the death of the star shot putter’s mom, reports said. 

Saunders, who formed an X with her arms above her head on the podium Sunday in a symbolic protest to represent “oppressed people,” was under investigation by the IOC for breaking their rules barring athlete demonstrations during medaling ceremonies. 

On Wednesday, IOC spokesman Mark Adams said any action against Saunders is “fully suspended for the time being,” NPR reported. 

“As many of you will have done, we heard the very sad news this morning of the passing of Raven Saunders’ mother,” Adams told reporters during a briefing. 

“The IOC obviously extends its condolences to Raven and her family. [The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has] informed us that she is being looked after and will be returning home.”

Just days after Saunders won the silver medal in the shot put, her mother Clarissa Saunders died in Orlando where she was in town watching viewing parties with other Olympian families. The cause of death is unknown. 

The USOPC previously defended Saunders’s protest and said it didn’t break any rules because even though the athlete was still on the podium, the demonstration didn’t happen during the ceremony or while the Chinese anthem played for Gong Lijiao’s first place win.

“We appreciate the empathy shown toward Raven by the IOC during this difficult time,” USOPC spokeswoman Kate Hartman told USA Today in a statement.