Brittney Griner’s Tears at National Anthem Highlight Olympic Gold’s Significance

PARIS — Brittney Griner stood on the podium, her eyes welling up as the first notes of the Star-Spangled Banner filled the air. The sight of the U.S. flag rising before her overwhelmed her with emotion. Just a short time ago, Griner faced a very different reality, confined in a Russian prison and uncertain about her future. Now, adorned with the gold medal she helped earn for her country, the weight of the moment was profound.

As the national anthem played, tears streamed down Griner’s face. While her teammates celebrated around her, posing for photos, she took a moment to gather her thoughts, wiping her tears before joining them. “It means so much to me,” Griner shared in a quivering voice. “I didn’t think I’d be here, like I’ve said before. And then to be here winning gold for my country, representing, when my country fought so hard for me to even be standing here – yeah, this gold is going to hold a special place.”

Griner’s journey is well-documented. She was arrested in February 2022 after officials discovered two near-empty vape cartridges containing hash oil in her luggage. Her confinement lasted nearly ten months, and throughout that time, she was at the center of a geopolitical storm, caught in the crossfire of tensions between Russia and the United States.

Her arrest happened just days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, subsequently turning her into a political pawn for Vladimir Putin’s agenda. In her book, Griner articulates the dehumanizing experiences of her imprisonment, revealing that the love from her family and basketball community kept her spirits alive throughout this dark chapter.

Upon returning home, Griner was eager to re-enter the world of basketball, but re-adjustment proved challenging both physically and psychologically. Her recent trip to France marked her first international appearance since her release in December 2022, and during that trip, she faced haunting memories from her past.

The journey to Lille, the site of the U.S. women’s group-stage games, was particularly difficult for her. The last train ride she took had been a harrowing ordeal of transportation between Russian prisons. “BG’s gone through a lot the last few years,” remarked Diana Taurasi, Griner’s Phoenix Mercury teammate and close friend. “When you talk about literally where she was (almost) three years ago, it’s almost mind-boggling that she’s been able to get back to this point. It shows a lot of character.”

Basketball has provided a healing avenue for Griner. The camaraderie and support from her teammates and fellow athletes are genuine and heartfelt. Following a group play victory over Australia, Australian basketball star Lauren Jackson, who had closely followed Griner’s plight, made a point to seek her out for a heartfelt hug, marking their first meeting since Griner’s return.

Jackson expressed her feelings about the ordeal, stating, “We did follow it. It was on the news every day, it was horrible. I feel really honored that I got the opportunity to match up with her again, even for a couple of minutes. She’s a beautiful human.”

Despite facing criticism and misconceptions about her experience, those who know Griner understand her reality. Immediately after returning, she made it clear she wanted to represent USA Basketball once again. As a key member of the national team, having previously won gold medals in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, Griner understood that donning the uniform again was her way of showing appreciation for the support she received from her country.

Her teammates relished in her presence, energized by her joy during the Olympics. Griner’s infectious spirit and positive energy are vital traits in the high-pressure environment of international competition.

Behind the scenes, however, Griner grapples with feelings no one else can completely understand. After her moment of triumph, she found her wife, Cherelle, and then sought a private space to release the emotions that had built up within her during the competition. “When you see BG around the team, outward, she’s OK. But you know inside, there’s a lot going on there,” U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve noted. “But she always presents her very best version of herself, despite all that she went through.”

Griner articulated her deep gratitude for the opportunity to compete, echoing a sentiment often shared by Olympians about the honor of representing their country. For her, there is a profound sense of appreciation. “I always wanted to be here,” she said. “My country fought for me to get back. I was able to bring home gold for my country. There’s just no greater feeling.”

Source: USA Today