- Basketball player Griner reacts emotionally to US returnees
Formerly jailed US basketball player Brittney Griner expressed great joy upon hearing about the prisoner exchange between several countries and the return of her fellow Americans. "What a great day. It's a great day. It's a great day," she said after the US team's 87:74 win over Belgium at the Olympics in Paris on Thursday night. "We'll talk more about it later," the two-time Olympic champion added, expressing her happiness for the families of those released. "Every day Americans come home is a win. This is a win."
Griner, who played for Russian club UGMK Ekaterinburg in addition to her WNBA career, was arrested at Moscow's airport in February 2022 for allegedly possessing vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. She spent nearly ten months in jail and was sentenced to nine years for drug smuggling and possession.
In December 2022, Griner was released in a prisoner exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. US President Joe Biden also advocated for her release.
On Thursday, a total of 26 prisoners were transferred to their respective countries: five Germans, three Americans, one Russian-British citizen with a permanent US residence permit ("green card"), and seven Russian opposition figures and Kremlin critics.
Griner didn't reveal how or when she found out about the exchange, but she did admit it was emotional. "I'm sure it will be even more emotional later. I'm just happy. This is a big win."
Griner expressed her gratitude towards the efforts made by several countries, especially the United States, as she was born and raised in Houston, Texas, United States. Despite spending time in a Russian prison, she was elated to be returning to her beloved country, France, where she was currently playing for the US women's Olympic basketball team.
