Breaking Free: Brittney Griner’s Journey from Detention in Russia to ‘Coming Home
Brittney Griner: A Basketball Star
Brittney Griner, a prominent basketball player, showcased her skills on the court in September 2023. Her exceptional talent and dedication have made her a standout athlete in the world of basketball.
Brittney Griner on the court in September 2023.
Brittney Griner’s Harrowing Ordeal in Russia
Upon her arrival at a county cell in Russia in 2022, WNBA star Brittney Griner was engulfed by despair.
“I did not feel like a human at that point, and just everything was setting in on the unknown,” she shared with NPR. “I just sat there and thought about ending it – just came up with a plan on how I could do it.”
Griner was en route to play her final season with Russia’s EuroLeague team when two vape cartridges, containing traces of doctor-prescribed cannabis oil, were discovered in her luggage during customs inspection at a Moscow airport. Subsequently, she was convicted on drug charges and handed a nine-year sentence in a Russian penal colony.
Following her pre-trial detention and sentencing, she endured 10 months in captivity before a prisoner exchange with a notorious Russian arms dealer secured her release.
Griner has since penned a memoir titled Coming Home, detailing the mental and physical abuse she suffered at the hands of guards, the constant discomfort of fitting her 6-foot-9 frame into cramped quarters, and the extreme cold that led her to cut her hair as it froze.
Challenges and Resilience
Throughout her ordeal, Griner faced numerous challenges that tested her resilience and determination. The harsh conditions and mistreatment she endured underscored the strength of her spirit and her unwavering resolve to survive.
Freedom and Redemption
After her release, Griner found solace in her freedom and the opportunity to share her story with the world. Her journey from captivity to redemption serves as a powerful testament to the human spirit’s capacity for endurance and renewal.
Lessons Learned
Griner’s experience in Russia taught her valuable lessons about perseverance, courage, and the importance of speaking out against injustice. Her resilience in the face of adversity serves as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges.
Looking Ahead
As Griner continues to rebuild her life and pursue her passion for basketball, she remains committed to raising awareness about the injustices she faced and advocating for reform in the criminal justice system. Her journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit’s capacity for transformation.
Griner being escorted by police before a hearing during her trial in Khimki, outside Moscow in August 2022. Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
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Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images
Brittney Griner shared her thoughts with All Things Considered host Juana Summers about her ordeal, starting with her initial detention.
This conversation has been condensed for brevity and clarity.
Key Points from the Interview
Brittney Griner: It felt like one of those moments people describe before a disaster, where your life flashes before your eyes, or like all the air has been sucked out of your lungs. I began to imagine all the things that could go wrong.
Juana Summers: This was just the beginning of your journey, as detailed in your book. For those unfamiliar with your story, could you elaborate on the conditions you faced in detention, during the trial, and later in the labor camp?
Griner: The detention center was unforgettable. On the first day, I walked into quarantine and saw scissors and a large knife on the table. It was a stark contrast. Communication was a challenge as few spoke English. I had to rely on gestures and felt completely isolated. The water was undrinkable, the place was filthy, and the cold was unbearable.
Brittney Griner’s Struggles and Resilience
Interviewer: You mentioned experiencing moments of despair and contemplating suicide. How frequently did you encounter such thoughts?
Griner: There was a time when I found myself in a county cell with nothing – no basic essentials like a toothbrush or soap. I had only two shirts, sweats, a hoodie, and shoes. I had to tear a shirt into pieces to clean myself. It wa
U23 Indonesia went to France to compete for tickets to the Paris Olympics
On the night of May 2, U23 Indonesia suffered a 1-2 defeat against U23 Iraq in the third place match of the 2024 U23 Asian Championship. This defeat not only made coach Shin Tae Yong and his team accept 4th place in the tournament in Qatar but also caused them to lose their place in the Paris Olympic group stage.
U23 Indonesia (red shirt) competes for
Read the full story:
https://www.worldysnews.com/u23-indonesia-went-to-france-to-compete-for-tickets-to-the-paris-olympics/
Jan Mohr: “I like to make things difficult for myself” / IDM Superbike
Home » Blog » Sports » Jan Mohr: “I like to make things difficult for myself” / IDM Superbike
#Jan #Mohr #difficult #IDM #Superbike
The Austrian is returning to the IDM Superbike after his crash on the Schleizer triangle and a long injury break. At the Sachsenring he reported with good pace.
Jan Mohr has had a long time away from racing. After his injury in 2022, he only took part in his home race at the Red Bull Ring last year. Since this year, the Austrian has been fully involved again in the Champion-alpha-Van Zon-BMW team and immediately showed his old strength again. After a successful pre-practice session, Mohr stayed cool in Superpole and took fifth place on the grid. “It took a while until I was fit again,” Mohr looks b
Arsenal keep pace at the top of the Premier League
A few games before the end of the English championship, Arsenal and Manchester City are still neck and neck at the top of the standings. Saturday May 4, during the 36e day (out of 38) of the Premier League, the Gunners maintained their hellish pace by easily winning (3-0), at home in London, against Bournemouth.
Thanks to this new victory, Arsenal is now 4 points ahead of Manchester City, who host Wolverhampton this Saturday, from 6:30 p.m. Above all, Pep Guardiola’s players still have to play a late match (against Tottenham , on May 14), which, quite theoretically if successful, could allow
Julie Allemand breaks contract with Lyon in exodus from top French club: “Thank you for 6 wonderful years”
After 6 seasons, Julie Allemand closes the door behind her in the top French club ASVEL Lyon. The Belgian Cats player chose to look for other places. There is an exodus at Lyon after an up-and-down season.
Julie Allemand settled in the summer of 2017 at Lyon, the club where former NBA star Tony Parker governs. In the south of France he has become, including a trip to Montpellier, one of the best playmakers in Europe.
With Lyon, Allemand won 2 French titles (in 2019 and 2023) and the EroCup (2023). In all those years she was one of the undisputed strong points of the team. President and owner Tony Parker has been eliminated his admiration for our compatriot is never hidden.
But this season things have gone decidedly less well at Lyon, who on paper were full of talent, but where the mayonnaise never seemed to catch on. With an injured Allemand, the team was recently eliminated without a escape in the 1st round of the French play-offs.
Thank you for 6 wonderful years. Lyon has become my second home and I will always be grateful for it.
Giulia Tedesco
Now that Lyon’s season is over, it is clear that the club will have to adopt a different line next season. With the French national teams Gabby Williams, Marine Johannès, Helena Ciak and Marine Fauthoux, 4 strong players have already decided to leave.
Julie Allemand activated a termination clause in her con
Race to the Top: Can Sanju Samson Make a Comeback in the IPL Run Chase?
Home » Sports » Race to the Top: Can Sanju Samson Make a Comeback in the IPL Run Chase?
Delhi: Rajasthan Royals star Sanju Samson is way behind the IPL run chasers. Sanju was dismissed for no runs in the last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sanju, who has played 10 matches, is in 10th position with 385 runs. With the completion of the Mumbai Indians-Hyderabad match today, there is a possibility that they will be out of the top ten. Mumbai’s Tilak Verma (347) and Hyderabad’s Hentich Klaasen (333) can surpass Sanju if they shine today.
But Sanju can improve if he wants to play against Delhi Capitals tomorrow. But the performance of Rian Parag (409) in seventh place and Rishabh Pant (398) in eighth place should be looked at. Travis Head (396) who plays for Hyderabad today is ninth ahead of Sanju. His performance will also be crucial. But fans are hoping that Sanju will make it to the top five. If he scores 46 runs, Sanju can reach the top five.
Virat Kohli currently tops the list with 542 runs in 11 matches. Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaekwad is second. Gaikwad’s score is 541 runs. Just one run behind Kohli. Kolkata star Sunil Narine was at the third position in the list of run chasers. Narine scored 81 runs off 39 balls against Lucknow Super Giants and finished third with 461 runs in 11 matches.
Let’s hit it, bro! Rishabh Pant’s answer to Sanju’s question; And then history happened
Narine scored 400 runs in a season for the first time in his IPL career. Lucknow captain KL Rahul, who scored 25 off 21 balls against Kolkata, is fourth with 431 runs. With 429 runs, Kolkata opener Phil Salt is fifth just behind Rahul.
Little progress has been made towards a ceasefire agreement in Gaza as tensions continue to escalate. In tragic news, foreign tourists were found murdered in Mexico, while China’s leader Xi Jinping embarks on his first European visit in five years. José Raúl Mulino wins the presidential elections in Panama, and the Israeli Army issues an urgent evacuation order in eastern Rafah.
Amidst these serious global events, the launch of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft is set to take place, and the death of acclaimed Argentine foot
Uganda announced the World Cup team in a novel way
– 2024-05-06 14:09:51
African country Uganda got the opportunity to play in a major ICC event for the first time. The country will play in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The team made a great start to make the historic event memorable. They announced the World Cup team in a novel way.
A video was released on Uganda Cricket’s official page to mark the team announcement. In the video, it can be seen that a person has left for the destination
Eupen’s story in the first division of Belgian professional football has ended after eight seasons. The East Cantoners lost 1-0 on the field to competitor KV Kortrijk, which still has a chance to save themselves.
Nobody cared about KV Kortrijk’s chances in the Relegation Play-offs, but KVK is participating again. Especially after RWDM’s loss yesterday at home against Charleroi, because that defeat of the Brussels team meant that Kortrijk had opportunities against Eupen.
However, the Kortrijk fans did not see the start they had hoped for. KVK was even shocked early in the match after Mehssatou received the ball through his body in his own penalty area. After a long VAR intervention, re
