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When the American flag rose to the ceiling and “The Star-Spangled Banner” started playing at Bercy Arena on Sunday, Brittney Griner’s eyes filled with tears.
The 67-66 victory over France marked Griner’s third gold medal ceremony, as she was also a part of Team USA’s victories in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021. But this time hit her differently after she went through the ordeal of being imprisoned in Russia in 2022.
Reminiscing on a difficult time
“My emotions are all over the place,” Griner said. “It means so much to me. My family didn’t think I would be here, like I’ve said before, and then to be here and win and gold for my country, representing when my country fought for me so hard to even be standing here. Yeah, this gold medal is going to hold a special place.”
Griner was freed via a prisoner exchange in December 2022 after 10 months of captivity. Her time this summer in England, where the U.S. played an exhibition game, and nearly three weeks in France marked her first trip overseas since her release.
“I had little moments here and there,” Griner said. “The first train ride was a little rough for me. Last time I was on a train overseas, it was a prison train, so that was a little rough. But other than that, my teammates have been all there for me and my family and my wife being here. So I had a really good support system.”
Griner had four points and two rebounds in the victory over France.
A symbol of resilience
Griner’s return to the court has been a symbol of resilience and determination. After being wrongfully detained in Russia for nearly a year, she has shown incredible strength and perseverance.
Her gold medal is a testament to her spirit and to the power of sport. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.
A message of unity
Griner’s gold medal is also a message of unity. She has shown that she is not defined by her past experiences, and that she is committed to moving forward and making a difference in the world.
Her gold medal is a symbol of hope and unity, and it is a reminder that we can all overcome adversity and achieve our dreams.