The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) marked the 100th day of Brittney Griner’s detention in Russia by renewing calls for her release, CNN reported.
“Brittney Griner is our teammate, our friend, and our sister. She is a record-breaker, a gold medalist, a wife, a daughter, a champion, a role model, an all-star, and so much more,” the WNBA said in a statement.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist was arrested in February at a Moscow airport while playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA offseason. Russian authorities claimed to have found cannabis oil in her luggage and accused her of smuggling significant amounts of a narcotic substance—an offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The WNBPA’s statement called for action from professional and amateur athletes, as well as the media and fans: “To our sisters, brothers and colleagues in professional sports: sign the petition, hold your own media blackouts, please. Help us reach the White House.”
Earlier on May 28, wife Cherelle Griner posted on her Instagram account pleading for action from President Biden: “100 days of being wrongfully detained, @potus bring BG home!” She also linked to the petition: www.change.org/p/secure-brittney-griner-s-swift-and-safe-return-to-the-u-s.