‘THE PINNACLE’

Brittney Griner Cries as National Anthem Plays at Olympic Medal Ceremony

The WNBA star said the moment was extra special because it came just under two years after she was released following a 10-month stint in a Russian prison.

Brittney Griner cried during U.S. women’s basketball team’s gold medal ceremony at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with cameras capturing the tears streaming down her face while the “Star Spangled Banner” played. The Americans held off a talented French squad in the championship matchup, winning a 67-66 nailbiter to secure a record-setting eighth straight gold medal performance. The WNBA star said the moment was extra special because it came just under two years after she was released following a 10-month stint in a Russian prison. Griner was originally arrested on drug possession charges that U.S. authorities later said contributed to her “wrongful detainment.” Her return home was part of a prisoner swap deal orchestrated by the U.S. government. “This one meant a lot to me,” Griner said after receiving her gold medal alongside her teammates. “I mean, just having a chance to play for gold, represent my country, what my country did for me? Yeah, this is the highest on the pinnacle right here.”