Megan Rapinoe pays tribute to Brittney Griner whereas receiving Presidential Medal of Freedom

"BG is a getting used as a political pawn and we have to carry her hom [sic] instantly," she wrote on an Instagram story.

"This plea would not change that @potus must and is working laborious to get her residence. From what I perceive she needed to plea to maintain the method of getting her residence asap in movement. BG we're with you."

Some have speculated Griner may very well be launched and returned to the US in a prisoner swap, as was Trevor Reed, an American veteran detained in Russia for 3 years earlier than his launch in April. There is no such thing as a indication such a swap is imminent in Griner's case.

Nonetheless, earlier than any potential prisoner swap, it was anticipated Griner must be convicted and in addition admit fault, a senior US official informed Muricas News. Reed needed to signal a doc saying he was responsible -- one thing he had resisted for nearly the whole thing of his detention -- simply days earlier than he was set free, the official mentioned.

"It's a part of the present and the doc has no authorized drive or impact within the US. It's successfully meaningless," mentioned Reed household spokesperson Jonathan Franks.

Rapinoe's position in pushing for equality

Rapinoe acquired the Medal of Freedom alongside 16 different recipients, together with fellow Olympic athlete Simone Biles.

"I'm humbled and really honored to be chosen for this award by President Biden and really feel as impressed and motivated as ever to proceed this lengthy historical past of preventing for the freedoms of all folks," Rapinoe mentioned in an announcement.

"To cite Emma Lazarus, 'Till we're all free, we're none of us free.'"