American victory in Paris punctuated by Griner's emotional return

Behind us are 15 days of thrilling competitions for the highest sports laurels and record results in as many as 32 disciplines. Despite great expectations, the white-and-reds brought home 10 medals from Paris, resulting in our worst position in the Summer Olympic Games medal ranking in 68 (!) years. However, it might be comforting to know that the vast majority of Poland’s greatest successes were achieved by women, among whom there were genuine sensations and significant sports revelations.

Undeniably, the representatives of the United States can boast the largest number of medals won. An extremely significant contribution to the Americans' success was made by the basketball players from across the ocean, who defeated the host team by just one point in the final game on the last day of the Olympics. That point turned out to be—literally—worth its weight in gold.

Among the Olympic champions' team was 33-year-old Brittney Griner. It was her third appearance at the most significant sports event in the world. The taste of hard-earned victory in Paris brought her the greatest joy and undisguised tears of emotion.

The American athlete had gone through callous times recently. On February 17, 2022, she was detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport. During a search of her luggage, border services found e-cigarettes with cartridges containing cannabis oil. Despite possessing only trace amounts and having a doctor’s prescription for its use, the basketball player was accused of attempting to smuggle drugs.

Brittney Griner was sentenced to 8 years in a penal colony. She was sent to a labour camp where conditions were extremely harsh, with forced long hours of hard labour. Moreover, prison services significantly restrict inmates' access to basic hygiene products and medical care.

Ultimately, the athlete returned to her homeland after 10 months. Amid a massive scandal, she was released as part of a prisoner exchange accomplished through successful negotiations by President Joe Biden with Russian authorities. Six months later, she appeared on the court for the first time.

Going from being free, you know, having freedom of movement, to have absolutely nothing, not even the necessities...That quick change to being in a box, not knowing what’s coming next, what’s going to happen tomorrow, or the middle of the night when you hear a door open and footsteps coming to your door, and you’re like, Is this the moment? - Brittney Griner recalled with great emotion.

The basketball player can boast many individual and team achievements. Since 2013, she has played for the Phoenix Mercury, with whom she secured first place in the WNBA league a year later.