August 4, 2024; Villeneuve-du-Asker, France; United States center Britney Griner (15) after defeating Germany during the Women’s Group C match at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris at Stade Pierre-Mauroy Celebrate with your teammates. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports PARIS — When she was in a Russian penal colony, Britney Griner wasn’t sure she would ever play basketball again, let alone compete in her third Olympic gold medal game in Paris.
In addition to playing in the WNBA, the 33-year-old Griner also played professionally in Russia. In February 2022, she was detained at the Moscow airport with e-cigarette cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage. nearly 10 months.
“Honestly, I don’t even know if I can play basketball,” Griner said after the U.S. beat Australia 85-64 in the semifinals Friday at Bercy Arena in Paris.
“It’s been a long journey, a tough journey. I’m just glad my body held up and was able to get back here.”
Greener, who had a prescription for medical marijuana in the United States, pleaded guilty to charges of possessing and trafficking illegal drugs, saying she made an honest mistake.
In December 2022, Griner was released in a high-profile prisoner swap involving arms dealer Victor Bout, known as the “Merchant of Death,” before returning to the WNBA for the 2023 season.
She said returning stateside to be with her family is what keeps her basketball career alive.
“Being able to see my family again. Being able to not miss out on little memories, things that I took for granted that I don’t take for granted anymore,” Griner said.
“The gold (medal race) is just the icing on the cake, and so is going to the Olympics…”
Riding the train to Lille, site of the Olympic group stage, Griner briefly thought about her time in Russia. She has not traveled by rail since a Russian train sent her to prison in 2022.
“There was a little bit of anxiety for a while, just trying to relive it,” said Griner, whose participation in the Paris Olympics was her first trip abroad since her ordeal in Russia.
“I just focused on all the little things I learned from counseling and kept myself grounded,” she said. “It’s been good ever since.”
The United States will face the winner of the semifinals between France and Belgium in the gold medal game on Sunday.
– Reuters, specifically for live media
