For Brittney Griner, winning a gold medal at the Olympics brings gratitude for freedom
PARIS — Brittney Griner knew she was going to be emotional, but she didn’t expect it to be this way.
After the United States secured its eighth consecutive gold medal in the women’s basketball team with a thrilling 67-66 victory over France, the teams took a break for the medal ceremony while the podium was assembled.
Griner found her way to the bathroom, the only place she could be alone, and “had a moment.” She collected herself enough to go back and celebrate her third gold with her teammates, and walk to the podium.
But when the American flag was raised and “The Star-Spangled Banner” blared through the Bercy Arena, Griner could hold it in no longer and there was no bathroom to seek solitude. So she let the tears stream down her face as she took in the scene.
This is your moment
Take a bow, BG 🥇🇺🇸 photo.twitter.com/tYNzhtdSm4
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 11, 2024
“It means so much to me, my family. I never thought I would be here,” Griner said. “And then to be here and win gold for my country, to represent the time that my country fought so hard for me to even be here. This gold medal will take a special place among the other two.”
Griner, 33, spent most of 2022 in Russian custody, a detention the U.S. government has ruled unlawful. She was arrested by Russian authorities for bringing a small amount of hash oil into the country while traveling to UMMC Ekaterinburg to play during the WNBA offseason. She was convicted on drug charges and sentenced to nine years in prison. That December, she was released in exchange for the U.S. release of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was serving a 25-year prison sentence.
Griner often thinks back to her time in Russia, if only to realize how grateful she is now to be living the life she does: playing basketball again, living in the United States, raising a family with her wife, Cherelle. (The couple recently welcomed their first child together, a son.)
During this Olympic journey there have been more telling memories.
It was her first time playing abroad since she was in Russia. She initially considered joining the national team for an Olympic qualifying tournament in Belgium in February, but ultimately decided against it. As she boarded a train to Paris from London, where the team was playing a friendly against Germany, she was reminded that the last time she had been on a train abroad was on a prison train in Russia. Shortly after group play began, the United States negotiated with several other Western nations and Russia for another prisoner swap to bring back three Americans held in Russian custody, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
“It’s a great day,” Griner said on Aug. 1, the same day her team claimed its second Olympic victory. “I’m overjoyed for the families right now. Every day Americans come home, it’s a victory.”
Griner said her teammates, coaches and family have been supportive throughout the journey. She also said she wouldn’t have been able to make the overseas trip to play basketball if she hadn’t taken the time to seek therapy.
“When you see BG on the team, she’s okay on the outside, but you know there’s a lot going on inside,” U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve said. “But she always shows the best version of herself, despite everything she’s been through. And she’s grateful to be here. She’s so grateful to be here.”
Throughout her time in France, Griner consistently expressed her gratitude for returning to her teammates and to the game she loves.
“My country fought for me to come back,” Griner said. “And I was able to bring back gold for my country.”
(Photo by Brittney Griner: Daniela Porcelli/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
