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- Brittney Griner thrilled as Americans return in prisoner swap (newsbreak.com)
VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France — Brittney Griner expressed a deep sense of joy on Thursday night regarding the return of fellow Americans from Russia, a situation she intimately understands due to her own experience in a prisoner swap. “Great day.
It’s a great day. It’s a great day,” Griner remarked after the U.S. basketball team defeated Belgium 87-74, securing a place in the Paris Games quarterfinals.
“We’ll talk more about it later. But head over heels happy for the families right now.
Any day that Americans come home, that’s a win. That’s a win.”
The two-time Olympic gold medalist herself was part of a high-profile exchange with Russia in 2022 after being sentenced to nine years on charges of drug possession and smuggling. Griner was overjoyed upon learning that Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan, both of whom were convicted of espionage charges deemed unfounded by the U.S. government, were also freed in the largest such swap since the Cold War.
Though Griner didn’t specify how she came to know about the prisoner exchange, the news visibly moved her. “I’m definitely emotional,” she noted, adding, “It’ll probably hit me even more later on. This is a huge win.”
Since her return to the U.S. in December 2022, Griner, now back on the national team, has been an active participant in helping other Americans detained abroad. She is involved with Bring Our Families Home, a campaign initiated by family members of American hostages and wrongful detainees in 2022. Griner has also met with President Joe Biden twice, urging that the plight of these detainees remain a priority.
Now, more than 19 months after her ordeal, Griner is still adjusting to life in the U.S. and voiced her gladness over the support systems in place for Gershkovich and Whelan. “They have an amazing group of people ready to help them and their families,” she said.
This year’s Olympics mark Griner’s first overseas trip since her detainment. She recounted feeling anxious during a train ride from London with her teammates, a stark reminder of her journey to a Russian prison. Watching Netflix helped her relax during the trip.
Yet, as her coach Cheryl Reeve noted, the team remains attentive to Griner’s well-being. Reeve expressed significant relief for the families of the released Americans and acknowledged how meaningful this day was for Griner, understanding firsthand what the men endured. After the game, Reeve made a point to spend time with Griner, ensuring she was coping well amidst this emotionally charged news.
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- Brittney Griner thrilled as Americans return in prisoner swap (newsbreak.com)