Biles and Ledecky give us the best moments of the Olympic Games in Paris
The Paris Olympics are over and Mackenzie Salmon analyzes the best moments, including when Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky cemented their GOAT title.
PARIS — Brittney Griner’s eyes filled with tears when she heard the first notes of the American flag. When she saw the U.S. flag flying, she cried unashamedly.
Not long ago, she was in a Russian prison, not knowing when—or if—she would return home. Now, as she stood on the top step of the winner’s podium, the gold medal she had won for her country weighing heavily around her neck, Griner was overwhelmed with emotion.
By the time the anthem was over, her face was wet with tears. As her teammates huddled together and started yelling for photos, Griner took a second to compose herself and wiped her hand across her face before joining them.
“It means so much to me,” Griner said, her voice growing thick again. “I didn’t think I would be here, like I said. And then to be here and win gold for my country, to represent when my country fought so hard for me to even be able to stand here – yes, that gold will hold a special place.”
Griner’s story is now known to almost everyone. She was arrested in February 2022 after two nearly empty vape cartridges containing hash oil were found in her bag and spent nearly 10 months in a Russian prison. Although marijuana is illegal in any form in Russia, Griner was a political puppet.
Arrested just days before Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, she was a propaganda goldmine for Vladimir Putin in his Cold War with the United States – and also a valuable negotiating tool.
In her book, Griner describes in detail how dehumanizing and demoralizing her imprisonment was. What kept her going was the love of her family, including her basketball family.
Although Griner said upon her return that she planned to play again, the return has not been easy. Physically and mentally. Even here in France, her first trip abroad since her release in December 2022, there have been flashbacks.
The first train ride to Lille, where the U.S. women were playing their group matches, was rough. The last time she had taken a train was between prisons in Russia.
“BG has been through a lot in the last few years,” said Diana Taurasi, Griner’s teammate on the Phoenix Mercury and one of her closest friends. “Considering where she was (almost) three years ago, it’s almost unbelievable that she’s made it this far. It shows a lot of character.”
But basketball also has something healing for Griner. The affection from her teammates and players from other countries is genuine. After the US women defeated Australia in group play, Australian legend Lauren Jackson sought out Griner in the mixed zone and they shared a long hug.
It was the first time the three-time WNBA MVP had seen Griner since her release.
“We followed it. It was on the news every day, it was horrific,” Jackson said. “I’m really honored to have had the opportunity to meet her again, even if just for a few minutes. She’s a wonderful person.”
Some people try to portray Griner as something else entirely, saying she somehow deserved her fate. Or worse, that she was ungrateful to her country. Nothing could be further from the truth, as those who really know her know.
Griner made it known shortly after her return that she wanted to play for USA Basketball again. She is a mainstay of the national team and has already won gold medals in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo. Wearing the uniform again was the best way for her to express her gratitude to the United States.
She delighted in the company of her teammates, who shared her joy at these Olympics. She is a friendly and fun presence in any locker room, a quality that is much needed on a stage like this and with the enormous expectations placed on the U.S. women.
But she carries a burden that no one else can understand. After the final whistle, Griner found her wife, Cherelle. Then, while her teammates were still celebrating, Griner went backstage and found a restroom, where she let all her emotions flow.
“When you see BG on the team, she’s OK on the outside, but you know there’s a lot going on inside,” said US coach Cheryl Reeve. “But she always presents her best side, despite everything she’s been through.”
“And she’s grateful to be here. She was so grateful to be here.”
Olympians always talk about how proud they are to represent their country and the privilege of wearing the red, white and blue.
For Griner, however, it is above all gratitude.
“I always wanted to be here,” she said. “My country fought for me to come back. I was able to bring home gold for my country. There’s just no better feeling.”
Follow USA TODAY sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
