August 4, 2024; Villeneuve-du-Asker, France; United States heart Brittany Griner (15) defeats Germany in the course of the Ladies’s Group C match on the 2024 Summer time Olympics in Paris at Stade Pierre-Mauroy Celebrating with teammates afterwards. Necessary Credit score: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports activities PARIS — When she was in a Russian penal colony, Britney Griner wasn’t positive she would ever play basketball once more, not to mention compete in her third Olympic gold medal sport in Paris.
Along with enjoying within the WNBA, the 33-year-old Griner additionally performed professionally in Russia. In February 2022, she was detained on the Moscow airport with e-cigarette cartridges containing hashish oil in her baggage. almost 10 months.
“Actually, I do not even know if I can play basketball,” Griner mentioned after the U.S. beat Australia 85-64 within the semifinals Friday at Bercy Enviornment in Paris.
“It has been a protracted journey, a troublesome journey. I am simply glad my physique held up and was in a position to get again right here.”
Greener, who had a prescription for medical marijuana in america, pleaded responsible to expenses of possessing and trafficking unlawful medicine, saying she made an trustworthy mistake.
In December 2022, Griner was launched in a high-profile prisoner swap involving arms vendor Victor Bout, referred to as the “Service provider of Demise,” earlier than returning to the WNBA for the 2023 season.
She mentioned returning stateside to be along with her household is what retains her basketball profession alive.
“With the ability to see my household once more. With the ability to not miss out on little reminiscences, issues that I took without any consideration that I do not take without any consideration anymore,” Griner mentioned.
“The gold (medal race) is simply the icing on the cake, and so goes to the Olympics…”
Driving the practice to Lille, website of the Olympic group stage, Griner briefly thought of her time in Russia. She has not traveled by rail since a Russian practice despatched her to jail in 2022.
“There was slightly bit of tension for some time, simply making an attempt to relive it,” mentioned Griner, whose participation within the Paris Olympics was her first journey overseas since her ordeal in Russia.
“I simply centered on all of the little issues I discovered from counseling and stored myself grounded,” she mentioned. “It’s been good ever since.”
The USA will face the winner of the semifinals between France and Belgium within the gold medal sport on Sunday.
– Reuters, particularly for dwell media
