| It has been nearly five months since Brittney Griner was detained in Moscow for allegedly possessing vape cartridges while traveling through Sheremetyevo International Airport. Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a WNBA champion, an NCAA champion, and eight-time WNBA all-star, is one of the most accomplished female athletes of all time. Griner’s criminal trial officially began last July 1 and the outlook is bleak: Less than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, according to The Washington Post. Griner wrote to President Biden over the Fourth of July weekend, making a direct appeal for her freedom, saying “I’m terrified I might be here forever,” and “please don’t forget about me.” When Griner was detained on Feb. 17, the diplomatic playbook was for the public to play mum while U.S. officials worked through backchannels to free her from Russian detention. But as time has worn on with little to no progress, public pressure is rising with demands for the Biden administration to do more—anything—to free Griner. So even as life becomes busier and new headlines keep rolling in with each new day, please don’t forget about Brittney Griner. -Zach Mentz, Senior Editor
| 