Raven Saunders, US silver medalist who put up 'X' gesture after win, suspended for missed doping tests

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Raven Saunders, a silver medalist shot putter at the Tokyo Olympics who raised an "X" above her head in protest after receiving her award, was suspended for 18 months for failing to show up for doping tests.

Saunders had committed three "whereabouts failures" within a 12-month period ending on Aug. 15, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced Wednesday. Saunders will miss this year’s world championships but would still be eligible for the Paris Olympics next year.

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Raven Saunders, of the United States, poses with her silver medal on women's shot put at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

The 26-year-old joined a growing list of high-profile athletes who faced discipline for missing tests, including world-champion sprinters Christian Coleman and Salwa Eid Naser, according to The Associated Press. A series of missed tests could lead to bans but are not considered proof that an athlete was using a prohibited substance.

Saunders was fourth in the U.S. nationals competition last year and did not qualify for worlds. She then announced she would take the rest of 2022 off – which came about a month before her last missed test. The other two were in January and May.

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Raven Saunders, of the United States, competes in the final of the women's shot put at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

During the photo op at her medals ceremony at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Saunders stepped off the