Brittney Griner’s third Olympic gold was undoubtedly the most meaningful for the Team USA center.
After a thrilling 67-66 victory over Team France in the final of the women’s basketball tournament at the Paris Olympics on Sunday, the 33-year-old was overwhelmed with emotion and tears flowed as she stood on the podium.
For Griner, this Olympics was particularly special as it marked her return to the games after being released from a Russian penal colony in a controversial prisoner exchange two years ago.
To add to the significance of the moment, Griner, an advocate for wrongfully imprisoned Americans, was celebrating the victory following another US-Russia prisoner swap, which resulted in the safe return of former marine Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
Reflecting on her journey, Griner expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play for gold and represent her country, especially considering the trials she had faced in recent years.
Tears stream down the face of United States’ Brittney Griner during the national anthem
Gold medalist Brittney Griner of United States on the podium begins to cry during the anthem
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