Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, American officials said.
The swap, at a time of heightened tensions over Ukraine, achieved a top goal for President Joe Biden, but carried a heavy price — and left behind an American jailed for nearly four years in Russia.
The deal, the second such exchange in eight months with Russia, procured the release of the most prominent American detained abroad. Griner is a two-time Olympic gold medalist whose monthslong imprisonment on drug charges brought unprecedented attention to the population of wrongful detainees.
Many former teammates and other American athletes have been awaiting her release, and reacted to the news early Thursday morning on social media:
Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022
She is safe.
She is on a plane.
She is on her way home. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT
Cherelle Griner, Brittney Griner’s wife: “Today my family is whole. But as you all are aware, there are so many other families who are not whole… BG and I will remain committed to the work of getting every American home, including Paul (Whelan)”
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) December 8, 2022
Via @AP
pic.twitter.com/BFGdnVSGD0
The following statement was released in regards to Brittney Griner's return home: pic.twitter.com/p0D0nhaNDW
— WNBA (@WNBA) December 8, 2022
BG is coming home 💚 pic.twitter.com/n1hjDpaysl
— Baylor Women's Basketball (@BaylorWBB) December 8, 2022
No more days. She’s coming home 🧡 pic.twitter.com/HsjbdPfdn5
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) December 8, 2022
Wait nah!! We left a marine?!! Hell nah https://t.co/3AeQx8K9OZ
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) December 8, 2022
Come home BG!! The best news to hear before the holidays!!! https://t.co/1qYdBoUipF
— Isabelle Harrison (@OMG_itsizzyb) December 8, 2022
My last tweet was no shot at Brittney Griner. I’m super happy she’s back home as she should be. I just have family who have served and it’s crazy to me the President wouldn’t bring him home too. I’m the furthest thing from a trump supporter but I’m not a fan of Biden either.
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) December 8, 2022
then the best outcome was accomplished. I pray Mr. Whelan comes home but am extremely happy for Brittney and her family. I am not too prideful to admit when I’ve made a mistake.
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) December 8, 2022
Yes! She’s coming home!
— WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) December 8, 2022
BG is free!! This day couldn’t have started better, and I’m so glad this happened before the holidays.
— Satou Sabally (@satou_sabally) December 8, 2022
God is good! Thankful and grateful to have her home safe in America❤️ https://t.co/Gvoipf20Z1
— Marina Mabrey (@mmabrey1) December 8, 2022
🙏🏼🙌🏼💜 https://t.co/PYq8Ub0uCp
— Megan Gustafson (@GustafsonMeg10) December 8, 2022
TIL IT’S BACKWARDS! Thank God BG is free, I know that’s gotta be the best plane ride of her life 🙌🏾
— Sydney Colson (@SydJColson) December 8, 2022
🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 ☺️ https://t.co/1nggRH1WAZ
— Astou Ndour (@NdouraStou) December 8, 2022
BG is FREE!!! 294 days and she is coming home!!! 😭🤍🙏🏻❤️
— Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) December 8, 2022
BG 🥹🙏🏽 God is so good
— A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) December 8, 2022
ITS BACKWARDS !!!!!!
— Brittney Sykes (@BrittBundlez) December 8, 2022
Thank you God , BG is Free 😭
Tears of joy flowing. God is so faithful. Welcome home BG. We love you.🫶🏽 pic.twitter.com/bTeaptiORf
— LaChina Robinson (@LaChinaRobinson) December 8, 2022
Welcome home BG. 🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/Wj5sz5FDLv
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) December 8, 2022
WELCOME HOME, BG.🤍 pic.twitter.com/YOhaoRKdyx
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) December 8, 2022
THIS IS AMAZING!!!!!!
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) December 8, 2022
WELCOME HOME BG! https://t.co/oPdP64ub7Z
Today our sister and our fellow Texan is coming home. ❤️
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) December 8, 2022
Sending love to BG and Cherelle from the entire Dallas Wings family. pic.twitter.com/XwKs5VkkHw
Welcome Home Baylor Fam!🙏 https://t.co/bbqBGYvhVM
— Scott Drew (@BUDREW) December 8, 2022
Celebrate Brittney Griner coming home to her family and now let’s get Marine Paul Whelan home too.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 8, 2022
The Associated Press contributed to this post.
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