The Olympic shot put competition veered towards a gender controversy of its own in Paris on Thursday with non-binary USA athlete Raven Saunders qualifying for the final.

Saunders, back competing after an 18-month ban for missing three doping tests, first caused a stir by adopting the alter-ego of 'The Hulk' - before taking the character to a new level.

Appearing in the games today, they wore a mask, their hair was dyed neon green and purple, gold grills covered their teeth and long fingernails on their left hand were bedazzled in Team USA colors, with the letters H-U-L-K.