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Two years ago, WNBA superstar Brittney Griner found herself locked in a Russian prison camp unsure if she’d ever play basketball or even see her family again.
Now, Griner is set to represent Team USA at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, and she says that the opportunity to do so means “everything” to her.
“It means everything to me honestly,” Griner told The Associated Press. “For me to now have the honor to wear it again and potentially win gold is icing on the cake for everything.”
Brittney Griner Has Her Sights Set On Gold At 2024 Summer Olympics In Paris
Griner, a 10-time WNBA All-Star, helped lead Team USA to gold in both Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021. But some people felt she shouldn’t have been rescued, let alone represent Team USA, due to prior critiques of her country.
Her team, however, could not be any more supportive.
“That is something when you think about it. Think outside the Olympics, someone’s personal experience and what she went through and still continues to go through,” U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve said. “We were all thinking of BG when she was away and we didn’t know if this moment would be possible. I’m thrilled for her personally and thrilled for our basketball team.”
Russian authorities detained Griner as she attempted to return to the U.S. in 2022. They charged her with illegal possession of vape cartridges containing hashish oil.
But Griner isn’t concerned about similar incidents with Team USA.
“It’s different, we are so protected by the staff around us,” she said. “It’s different, it’s way different. The level of comfortability and security we have right now makes it a lot easier.”
Team USA has never lost in Olympic women’s basketball competition. And Griner plans to keep that streak alive.
“Hopefully, everything goes the way we want it to go and that anthem’s playing,” Griner said of the U.S. winning an eighth straight Olympic gold medal. “It’s going to be way more emotional this time.”