Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry delivered a speech about Brittney Griner returning to the United States after being held in Russia for almost a year whilst in one of the most notoriously rough prisons in the nation.
WNBA star Griner was freed on Thursday after the US agreed a deal with Russia to send notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout back to the nation in order for Griner to return to the States.
Griner had been detained in Russia since February after she was accused of bringing cannabis oil in her luggage to a Moscow airport.
United States officials had been actively trying to get her out of the country, and now have finally done so, with Curry taking the opportunity to speak about her situation when winning an award later that night.
After winning Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year award, he said: "We are glad she’s home, we’re glad she’s reunited with her family. It’s a constant reminder for everybody continuing to use their platforms to speak on issues that are meaningful and can move the needle.
"Thank you to President Biden’s administration for being a part of that fight. But, it’s also a reminder that we all need to stay engaged in the fight to protect American citizens at home and abroad who are wrongfully detained, and we can continue to be engaged in that fight.
"BG, we love you. We thank you for your sacrifice and your continued perseverance and patience to get through this process, and hope you enjoy reuniting with your family. We are always with you, BG."
He also added on the red carpet beforehand: "It is amazing that Brittney’s home. It was obviously too long of a process to get her back from being unlawfully and unrightly detained in Russia.
"I think one, shout out to President [Joe] Biden and his administration and all the athletes, activists, people who used their platform to speak on her behalf.
"I know there’s a conversation now there’s hopefully leading to protecting and speaking on other American citizens that are still unlawfully detained overseas, and knowing that there’s still a lot of families that are in a similar predicament. This is great news that Brittney is home, excited to see her get back with her family."
After months of negotiations president, Joe Biden confirmed: "She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home."
