Brittney Griner reveals in an interview with ABC that she contemplated suicide multiple times during her confinement in Russia.
The WNBA athlete spent nearly 300 days behind bars in Russia after being held in February 2022 and sentenced to nine years in prison upon authorities discovering cannabis oil in her luggage.
The US State Department classified Griner as a wrongfully detained individual, leading to her release in December 2022 as part of a prisoner exchange involving Russian arms trader Viktor Bout.
Griner expressed in an ABC interview on Wednesday how she considered taking her life during her first few weeks, struggling to endure the experience.
She stated, "I just didn't think I could get through what I needed to get through. I definitely thought about it. But then, I was just like, 'What if they didn't release my body to my family?' I can't put them through that. I have to endure this."
The double Olympic gold medalist also described being forced to write a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin seeking forgiveness.
"They made me write this letter," Griner explained, without mentioning who directed her to pen the note. "It was in Russian. I had to basically ask for forgiveness and thanks from their so-called great leader. I didn't want to do it, but at the same time, I want to come home."
Furthermore, Griner described the inhumane living conditions in prison, including unsanitary cells, a large bloodstain on her mattress, lack of soap, and insufficient toilet paper.
Russian officials accused her of attempting to bring less than a gram of cannabis oil into the country in the form of vape cartridges while playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA offseason.
Griner's imprisonment shed light on the salary restrictions WNBA players face in the United States, prompting athletes to seek employment overseas during their offseason. The Phoenix Mercury star has returned to her team, starting her 11th WNBA season in May 2022.
Recently, Griner and her wife, Cherelle, revealed they are expecting their first child, while the 33-year-old is also competing for a position on the US team for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
CNN's Ben Morse contributed to the reporting.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
