“They asked us not to make a big fuss about Brittney Griner”

“I’m Joe Biden. Welcome. Welcome home.” This is the call from the President of the United States of America to Brittney Griner, a female basketball star, after being arrested in Russia for nearly 10 months. She had been released. She put an end to an ordeal that was filled with uncertainty, politics and controversy given the tense relations and the limits of everything between the United States of America and Russia. This is the only way to understand things like the exchange for Viktor Bout, an alleged arms dealer, who in Moscow is considered a prisoner for political reasons.

It was never an easy negotiation, and, in fact, the country of the stars and stripes did not achieve another of its goals when seeking the release of Paul Whelan, accused of espionage. Those doubts were expanding and with many critical parts, such as comparing that situation with what would have happened with an NBA star. “The United States would have bombed Russia if it happened with Michael Jordan,” said Andrew Schulz, comedian and podcaster.

Griner’s side was always his family and colleagues, with Cherelle Griner, his wife, as the greatest exponent. He experienced conflicting situations, such as not being able to speak with her in scheduled and agreed calls and having to press because “they had forgotten and abandoned ‘BG’ in Russia”. He did it through the media and his social networks… Although it seems that from the United States they asked to cut the pressure. Of course, Biden held the first meeting with Cherelle in July after declaring Brittney Griner that she “was afraid of having to stay there all her life.”

A tense moment, not knowing the next move. “We were told that we should not make such a fuss in a situation like this. So that he would not become a pawn. Let’s not start a ‘Free Brittney’ campaign. They told us and the whole world of women’s basketball,” said Lisa Leslie, WNBA legend, about those lobbying moves to release the player to ‘Fanfare with Barry Cunningham’.

It will happen, finally. “Our family is complete,” said Brittney Griner’s wife upon learning of the exchange. Griner, at many times a prisoner of a war between the United States and Russiais already free in exchange for the obscure and unknown Viktor Bout.