Brittney Griner, the towering star of Team USA, couldn’t hold back the flood of emotions when the American national anthem played during the medal ceremony at the Olympics. After a nail-biting 67-66 win over France, Griner’s tears told a story far deeper than just a victory on the court.

The U.S. women’s basketball team pulled off a heart-stopping comeback, trailing by as much as eight points in the second half before rallying to edge out their European rivals. With the clock ticking down, the Americans clung to a slim three-point lead. France’s Gabby Williams launched a desperate bank shot as time expired, but it only counted for two, sealing the one-point win for Team USA.

This victory wasn’t just another medal; it marked the eighth consecutive Olympic gold for the American women. But for Griner, the moment was personal. As the anthem played, she was visibly overwhelmed, a stark contrast to her previously publicized intention to boycott the anthem.

Griner’s change of heart comes after a harrowing experience in Russia, where she was imprisoned before being freed in a high-profile prisoner exchange. The anthem that once stirred controversy for her now seemed to carry a profound new meaning.

Fans rally behind Brittney Griner as emotional Olympic moment resonates across social media

Brittney Griner says she thought about killing herself during first few weeks in Russian jailABC News 20/20 – LAPRESSE

Social media lit up with fans echoing Griner’s emotional response. “BG got me over here crying,” one fan tweeted, capturing the collective sentiment of many who watched the scene unfold. Another wrote, “Seeing Brittney tear up like that after everything she went through, she probably thought she’d never hear it again.”

MORE in MARCA

Golf influencer Karin Hart drops big hint about OnlyFans content whilst at the Masters | MarcaMarca

Karely Ruiz, Dua Lipa, Mia Khalifa, Bella Thorne: The celebrity nanokini trend explodes | MarcaMarca

The powerful display of emotion wasn’t lost on the star herself. Griner later admitted that hearing the anthem post-Russia “hit different,” acknowledging the deep impact of representing her country again on such a grand stage.

For Griner, this Olympic journey wasn’t just about adding another gold to the collection-it was about redemption, resilience, and a renewed sense of patriotism. With the 2028 Games set to return to the U.S., Team USA, and perhaps Griner herself, will be eyeing yet another historic run. But for now, this victory, wrapped in tears and triumph, is one that will be remembered for years to come.