Brittney Griner was already more than grateful she got to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics after her nearly 10-month imprisonment in Russia. Then Team USA’s female basketball team won Gold over France, and Griner’s gratitude doubled.
The talented basketball player got emotional as the US national anthem played after USA’s victory over France and has opened up about what started the waterworks.
Why Brittney Griner Cried After the US Basketball Team Beat France
The WNBA star, 33, confessed that she cried as the “Star Spangled Banner” played following the US women’s basketball team’s 67-66 victory over France because she did not see herself experiencing the moment.
“My country fought for me to get back. And I was able to bring home gold for my country. There’s just no greater feeling,” the talented player said about the Sunday, August 11 win.
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The win makes it Griner’s third Olympic gold medal, but she has said this one would “hold a special place amongst the other two” because of how emotional it was for her. “I didn’t think I would be here,” Griner said.
The WNBA star contributed four points and two rebounds during the game and dedicated the win to her newborn son, Bash.
Brittney Griner’s Detainment in Russia
The Olympic win comes more than two years after Brittney Griner’s detainment in Russia on February 17, 2022, after a customs dog allegedly found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her carry-on bag.
Griner was initially sentenced to nine years in prison, however she was released in a prisoner swap on December 8, 2022. Griner’s Russia trip came after the US State Department issued a “do not travel” advisory for the country. Citizens were advised against traveling there for a variety of reasons.
One was because officials anticipated “harassment against US citizens, another was the embassy’s limited ability to assist US citizens in Russia, then there was also the danger of terrorism, harassment by Russian government security officials, and the arbitrary enforcement of local law.
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Griner Says Her Experience in Russia Left Her With a Fear of International Travel
In May, long after her experience in Russia, Griner revealed to PEOPLE that her imprisonment had left her fearful of traveling internationally.
“My wife and I [used to enjoy going] down to Mexico for a bit. But now I’m just like, ‘Nah, I can’t do it.’ We can go to a beach in America. There’s plenty of beaches here. There were countries I wanted to visit before, but [not] now,” Griner said.
The basketball star also admitted during the interview that she was open to traveling to Paris for the Olympics but only because she could expect protection from the same country that brought her home.
Who Are Brittney Griner Kids?
Brittney Griner has only one child as of August 2024. The talented athlete and her spouse, Cherelle, welcomed a baby boy named Bash on July 8, 2024.
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The Phoenix Mercury player confirmed Bash’s arrival in an interview with CBS Sports. “That’s my man. He is amazing,” Griner said with a proud smile. “They said as soon as you see them, everything that you thought mattered just goes out the window. That’s literally what happened.”
Brittney Griner and her partner have been married since 2019. They reportedly first met more than a decade ago while attending Baylor University from 2009 to 2013. However, sparks did not fly between them until years later.
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