American basketball player Brittney Griner, a two-time Olympic champion with the US national team, who was convicted in Russia for drug smuggling and subsequently exchanged, has been included in the Olympic national team.
"We have selected a team that will represent the USA at the Olympics in Paris. Basketball in the US has an unparalleled depth, which makes the selection process challenging and competitive. The dedication of these athletes to basketball in the US is unmatched," said Jen Rizzotti, the chair of the US women's basketball national team committee, as quoted by the press service.
In February 2022, Griner was detained at Sheremetyevo Airport. The basketball player had cartridges with smoking liquid, which also contained hash oil. The court in Khimki, Moscow Region, sentenced the American to nine years in prison and a fine of 1 million rubles.
Griner was later exchanged for businessman Viktor But. This information was officially confirmed by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Griner has expressed her relief at being able to compete for Team USA after her ordeal in a Russian prison.
