U.S. Women's Basketball Team Dominates in Olympic Opener
- Brittney Griner is back with the U.S. women's basketball team as they kick off their campaign at the Paris Olympics.
- The team is looking to secure an unprecedented eighth consecutive gold medal, starting with a match against Japan.
- As Griner rejoins the squad, excitement builds around their Olympic aspirations.
The U.S. women's basketball team kicked off its Olympic campaign with a commanding victory over Japan, marking a significant moment for star player Brittney Griner. This game represented Griner's return to international play after a harrowing ten-month imprisonment in Russia on drug charges. Griner had previously vowed not to play overseas again unless it was for her country at the Olympics, making this match a poignant milestone in her career. Griner's journey back to the Olympic stage seemed improbable following her sentencing to nine years in a Russian prison. In a conversation with NPR in May, prior to her official selection for Team USA, Griner expressed her anticipation for the moment, acknowledging the support of her country during her ordeal. "I wouldn't be here without my country," she stated, highlighting the emotional weight of her return. Diana Taurasi, a fellow teammate, emphasized the significance of Griner's comeback, noting the emotional impact of her journey back to the court. "It was a big moment for her in a lot of ways," Taurasi remarked, underscoring the importance of this event not just for Griner, but for the entire team. As the U.S. team competes in a pool that includes Japan, Belgium, and Germany, Griner also recently celebrated the birth of her first child, a son, with her wife, Cherelle. This Olympic appearance marks a new chapter in Griner's life, both personally and professionally.