The two US basketball bodies expressed their regret at the “unjust and regrettable sentencing” of the women’s basketball star, adding that “the verdict was predictable and Brittney remains unjustly incarcerated.”
With sadness and anger, the sports world reacted to the condemnation of the American basketball player, Britney Greinerin nine years imprisonmentfrom Russian court for drug trafficking, calling for action to “free BG”.
After his strong words Joe Bidenwho called the verdict “unacceptable” and called on “Russia to immediately release Greiner,” the North American Women’s Basketball League (WNBA) was the first to react in a joint press release with the NBA.
The two US basketball bodies expressed their regret at the “unjust and regrettable sentencing” of the women’s basketball star, adding that “the verdict was predictable and Brittney remains unjustly incarcerated.”
“The WNBA’s commitment to her safe return has not wavered, and we hope that the end of this process to bring Brittney Greiner to the United States for good is near,” said league commissioner Kathy Engelbert.
USA Basketball expressed its disappointment but not its surprise “given what we know about the process”: “We continue to support BG in any way we can and remain in cooperation with the US State Department as they work to to bring her home. Britney’s bravery in the face of these unimaginable circumstances is a testament to who she is and the strength she possesses.”
For the Phoenix Mercury, a WNBA team, “Brittney Greiner’s conviction marks an important step in the nightmare that our sister, BG, endured for 168 days. We will not allow it to be forgotten.”
Before the start of a WNBA championship game in Connecticut, the Mercury and Sun players observed 42 seconds of silence in support of Greiner, who usually wears that number on her jersey. Gathered at the center of the Mohegan Sun Arena floor, the basketball players held their waists with their heads bowed, some in tears, as did many spectators who wore T-shirts emblazoned with the women’s basketball star and the words “We are BG.”
Ahead of the match, Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard commented: “We’re going to play, but how can we focus on this game? It is such an emotional day for us. It was really hard to see +BG+ today and hear her words. The players were watching her. Emotions intensified during the day.”
“Seeing BG behind these bars breaks my heart. Praying a lot for her today,” tweeted Diamond DeShields, who plays for the WNBA champion Chicago Sky.
Addressing Joe Biden, former women’s basketball star Swin Cash pointed out: “Please…Bring Brittney Greiner home! We will not stop supporting her.”
The US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken said last week that Washington had made a “substantial offer” to Moscow to free Greiner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was jailed in Russia for espionage.
At the same time, many voices called on the government to continue this negotiation process, with Greiner’s manager, Lindsey Colas, stressing on Twitter that “the conviction proves what we’ve known all along, that Britney is being used as a political pawn.”
“It can not be done! Nine years? Bring our sister and friend home. #FREEBG,” tweeted Grant Williams of the Boston Celtics.
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