Sierra Brown Ton, a 23-year-old female wrestler hailing from the United States, is making waves in the wrestling world as she sets her sights on representing Jamaica at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris 2024.

Despite having the opportunity to try out for the USA wrestling team, Brown Ton's desire to don the Jamaican colors stems from her deep-rooted connection to the country and her eagerness to promote and expand the sport in Jamaica.

Brown Ton's journey into wrestling began when she was just 13 years old. Inspired by watching WWE matches with her father, she had always aspired to be a wrestler.

However, it wasn't until her brother needed a practice partner that she had her first taste of the sport. Fearlessly stepping into a room full of boys, Brown Ton's determination and hunger for wrestling only grew stronger. Throughout middle school and high school, she competed against boys since there were no girls' teams available.

 Attending Erickson Middle School and later Allen High School, Brown Ton's passion for wrestling grew alongside her dedication to academics.

She made the tough decision to focus on her studies, sacrificing state championships, in order to pursue her dream of wrestling in college. It was during her junior year in high school that she discovered women's wrestling in college, sparking a new goal in her wrestling career.

Currently studying business at the University of Iowa, Brown Ton aims to attend law school after graduation. She aspires to become a criminal attorney or specialize in litigation. Although she understands that her law career may evolve as she progresses through law school, her passion for the field remains strong.

Brown Ton's Jamaican roots play a significant role in her decision to represent Jamaica. While she was born and raised in the United States, her father and grandmother, Yulimira Stewart Ton are Jamaican.

They instilled in her a strong sense of Jamaican culture, and every summer, Brown Ton and her family would visit Jamaica to connect with their heritage.

“My father, my grandma, my mom’s dad, he’s from Jamaica and I may not have been raised in Jamaica but my father, my grandma, that side of the family always made it important and put effort for me to a part of Jamaican culture,” she said.

Her father, Esh’Chadar, a Muay Thai world champion, also influenced her athletic upbringing, imparting speed and athleticism to Brown Ton and her siblings – two brothers and two sisters.

Brown Ton officially obtained her Jamaican passport, solidifying her eligibility to compete for Jamaica.

She reveals that the decision to represent Jamaica though influenced by her roots, was hers and hers alone.

“I just thought it was an opportunity to expand Jamaica and put them on a platform. I mean, you heard about bobsledding. You don’t match that with Jamaica. And when you hear about female wrestling, you’re like ‘Oh, there’s female wrestling?’”

She recognizes that qualifying for the Olympics requires a rigorous process, including winning at the Pan American Games in May and participating in international tournaments.

However, she is resolute in her determination to reach the highest level of the sport, irrespective of the qualifying challenges.

The support from her family, coaches, and teammates drives Brown Ton's confidence. They believe in her abilities, and she mirrors their belief in herself.

Brown Ton's patient approach, paired with her unwavering determination, keeps her focused on her long-term goals. She remains unfazed by the opponents she may face, choosing to concentrate on her own performance rather than dwell on the names and reputations of her rivals.

Sierra's dreams of competing in the Pan Am Games were shattered when an unexpected setback forced her to miss out on the Olympic qualifier.

Unfortunately, an injury she had sustained earlier hadn't healed sufficiently, according to her coaches. It was a devastating blow for Sierra, who had been diligently working towards the Games for months including competing at the Caribbean Games qualifiers in December 2022.

The injury had initially occurred during a rigorous training session, and Sierra's coaches had played a significant role in her recovery process.

They had provided constant guidance, support, and expert medical advice, ensuring that Sierra received the best possible treatment. However, despite their efforts, time had not been on her side, and the injury didn't heal as quickly as anticipated.

Sierra's coaches, Head Coach Clarissa Chun, Associate Head Coach Gary Mayabb and Assistant Coach Tonya Verbeek, always focused on their athletes' well-being and long-term performance, made the difficult decision to prioritize her health over her immediate goals.

They understood the importance of allowing sufficient time for proper healing to prevent further damage and potential long-term consequences. Their influence and expertise were crucial in ensuring Sierra's overall well-being and athletic longevity.

Though disappointed, Sierra remained grateful for the guidance and care provided by her coaches. Their decision, while difficult, was made with her best interests in mind.

With their support, Sierra resolved to channel her energy into a comprehensive rehabilitation program, aiming to come back stronger and more resilient than ever.

While missing out on the Pan Am Games was undoubtedly a setback, Sierra's injury served as a valuable lesson in resilience and the importance of proper recovery. She recognized the influence of her coaches not only in her athletic development but also in their unwavering commitment to her overall well-being.

Sierra's journey is far from over, and with the support of her coaches, she was determined to overcome this obstacle and return to the competitive arena stronger and more determined than ever before.

Britain’s oldest living Olympian Edna Child died in May aged 100, the British Olympic Association announced on Friday.

Child competed in the 1948 London Olympics in diving, despite a fear of heights, and later became a British Empire Games champion.

A post on the Team GB’s Twitter account read: “Condolences to the family and friends of 1948 diving Olympian Edna Child, who passed away in May.

“Aged 100, Edna was Britain’s oldest living Olympian.”

Child won the bronze medal in the 1938 European Championships aged just 15 but her promising career was put on hold during the Second World War as she joined the army.

Once her career resumed she finished sixth in London, but won gold in the springboard and platform at the 1950 British Empire Games – now known as the Commonwealth Games – in Auckland.

Mike McFarlane, a former sprinter who helped Great Britain to Olympic silver in the 4×100 metres relay at Seoul 1988, has died aged 63.

Alongside Elliot Bunney, John Regis and Linford Christie, McFarlane led Britain to the runners-up spot in South Korea, while he had individual success with Commonwealth gold in the 200m at Brisbane in 1982.

Once he had hung up his running spikes, McFarlane enjoyed a successful coaching career, including the 2012 women’s sprint relay team of England Athletics, which said he was still overseeing the careers of “a number of high ranking and upcoming athletes up to his untimely death”.

The governing body added: “England Athletics is saddened to hear of the death of Mike McFarlane.”

McFarlane, who also won gold in the 60m at the 1985 European Indoor Championships and relay bronze in the European Championships the following year, coached several female sprinters to success including Desiree Henry, Jodie Williams and Finette Agyapong.

Katharine Merry, who won 400m bronze at Sydney 2000, tweeted: “Sorry to hear about of the passing of Mike McFarlane. A wonderful coach and a super athlete. How sad. No age at 63. Always a smiling face. He will be missed. RIP Mac.”

Newham and Essex Beagles, McFarlane’s former athletics club, paid a touching tribute to the ex-track star.

A statement on the club’s Facebook page said: “All at Newham & Essex Beagles are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mike McFarlane (Mac) MBE, the renowned Olympic sprinter and coach.

“Mike’s extraordinary contributions to the world of athletics have left an indelible mark, and his loss will be felt deeply by the entire sporting community.”

Bianca Cook is determined to secure a “fairytale ending” to her taekwondo career by erasing her Olympic heartbreak in Paris next year.

The 31-year-old, who was forced to settle for gut-wrenching bronze medals in both Rio and Tokyo, has confirmed that next year’s Games in the French capital will be her last.

Cook, who married her long-term partner and fellow taekwondo champion Aaron Cook last year, fell on golden point to China’s Shuyin Lee in the 2016 semi-finals then lost to a last-second head-kick against Dabin Lee in Tokyo.

But she insists that, after shrugging off her most recent disappointment, she is more motivated than ever to complete her glittering career on a high.

“It’s definitely the last one I’m going for so I’m going to give it everything I’ve got,” Cook told the PA news agency.

“All I’ve got on my mind is getting to Paris and winning that gold. I know I’m still good enough and, if I can finish my career with a gold medal in Paris, it would be the fairytale ending.”

In the meantime Cook is hoping to make more history in her sport by becoming the first woman to win four world taekwondo titles in Baku, Azerbaijan later this month.

Cook won consecutive gold medals in Chelyabinsk, Muju and Manchester between 2015 and 2019 but failed to make it four in a row when she missed out on the 2022 tournament in Guadalajara due to injury.

“I never thought I’d be in the position to make history after missing the last one, so it is a great motivation to become the only female ever to have four gold medals,” Cook added.

“Making history is the sort of thing that motivates you through another cycle because for me it is all about that Olympic gold – I would give everything else away for that right now.

“But I don’t feel like I’m chasing anything. I could go to Paris having won four world titles and five Europeans so I have already achieved more than I ever dreamed of in this sport.

“Paris would be the happy ending but if I didn’t get it I wouldn’t be going to try again to get to the next one.”

Great Britain’s 11-strong team for the World Championship also includes double Olympic champion Jade Jones, and Cook’s fellow Tokyo medallists Lauren Williams and Bradly Sinden.

Tori Bowie, the American sprinter who won the 100m title at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London has died overnight, according to her management.

She was 32.

A source close to the development said it is believed she committed suicide.

Her management team released a statement saying, “We’re devastated to share the very sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away,” read a post from Icon Management.

“We’ve lost a client, dear friend and sister. Tori was a champion, a beacon of light that shined so bright. We are truly heartbroken and our prayers are with her family and friends.”

A talented track and field athlete, Bowie excelled at the 100m, 200m and long jump. She won a silver medal in the 100m at the 2016 Rio Olympics behind Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah and took bronze in the 200m. However, she won gold in the 4x100m relay.

  Bowie had personal best times of 10.78 in the 100m, 21.77 in the 200m and 6.91m in the long jump.

* In a previous representation of this story, we inadvertently misrepresented a quote from Miss Bowie in an interview in 2017. We apologize for the error and express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the athlete.

Herve Renard has been confirmed as the new head coach of France's women's team after a player revolt led to the dismissal of Corinne Diacre.

Renard resigned from his role as Saudi Arabia boss earlier this week, having overseen the team's memorable 2-1 victory over eventual winners Argentina at last year's World Cup in Qatar.

The French Football Federation (FFF) sacked Diacre earlier in March after several big-name Bleues players refused to play under her, criticising her management style and treatment of the squad.

Renard was immediately touted as a potential replacement for Diacre, and the 54-year-old's appointment was finalised on Thursday.

His contract with Les Bleues will run until August 2024, allowing him to lead the team at the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, as well as next year's home Olympic Games in Paris.

In addition to leading Zambia and Ivory Coast to Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2012 and 2015 respectively, Renard has also taken charge of Angola and Morocco during a long career in international football.

A statement from the FFF said Renard will be officially presented at a press conference on Friday, when he will also name his squad for next month's friendlies against Colombia and Canada.

France will begin their World Cup campaign against Jamaica in Sydney on July 23, before facing Brazil and Panama in their subsequent Group F matches.

Reigning World 100m champion Fred Kerley has described Jamaica’s Usain Bolt as the gold standard of sprinting, saying he and others have been inspired by the iconic Jamaican, who holds the world records in both 100 and 200m.

Kerley returned to the United States recently after a stint in Australia where he clocked a fast 20.32 in a 200m race at the Maurie Plant Meet in February before storming to victory in 44.65 over 400m at the Sydney Track Classic last Saturday.

In a subsequent interview on ABC Radio in Australia, Kerley, who has a wild-card entry to the World Championships in Budapest in August, said he plans to add to the gold medal he won last year in Oregon but ultimately wants to win Olympic gold in Paris in 2024.

His career goal, however, is surpassing Usain Bolt’s accomplishments. The Jamaican is the only man to win the sprint double at three consecutive Olympic Games and holds the Olympic records of 9.63 and 19.30 in the 100m and 200m, respectively.

“He inspired a lot of generations,” Kerley said of Bolt. “We try to duplicate or step foot where he stepped foot on. He is the golden standard for track and field. We all try to achieve all he achieved in his lifetime.”

Though he would love to be able to break the Jamaican’s world records, winning gold medals remains his top priority, Kerley said.

“For us to step in the same journey is all about the gold medals and stuff right now,” he reasoned. “The more gold medals I get, the more I can put in the history book. Records come and go, but golds last forever.”

Seven-time Olympic medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce says the 2024 Olympics in Paris will be her last.

The 36-year-old, who won back-to-back 100m gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012, made the declaration in an interview with NBC Sports.

“Yes, 2024 will definitely be my last Olympics,” said Fraser-Pryce before going into how her foundation will become her priority once she exits the track.

“As I chase world championship and Olympic glory, the legacy that I leave off the track is important and my Pocket Rocket Foundation has been near and dear to me. We’ve been trying to expand on what we do here in Jamaica and hopefully go regional. Being able to run fast and win medals is great, but using that platform to give young people the chance to succeed and balance education with sports and transcend their own thoughts and ideas is what I’m passionate about as well,” she added.

By the time the Paris Olympics roll around, Fraser-Pryce will be 37 and aiming to become the oldest Olympic 100m gold medallist ever, male or female.

“I definitely want 2024 to be my last hurrah. I’ve accomplished so much, and I’m so, so grateful for it all. All the people that I’ve been able to touch, all the memories that I’ve made. After the Olympics I want to make different memories,” she said.

The 2024 Paris Olympics are scheduled for July 26-August 24 with Track & Field scheduled for August 1-11.

President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, will, for the first time, set foot on the soil of Jamaica as he pays an official and historic visit to the island.

Mr Bach is set to arrive in Jamaica late Friday.

During his brief visit, the world governing Olympic body’s head will undertake a hectic schedule and President of the Jamaica Olympic Association, (JOA), Christopher Samuda, expects a very successful visit.

 “President Bach’s engagement will serve to deepen and embolden our continuing commitment to the values of Olympism as a way of life in sport while providing a welcomed opportunity for an interface with members of the local Olympic family,” said Samuda.

In July 2018, a petal from the flame of the cauldron of the 2012 London Olympic Games was established at the Sir Donald Sangster International Airport, in Montego Bay by the current JOA administration “as a landmark embodying the ideals of a global sport movement, giving earnest hope to the burning aspirations of Jamaica’s sportsmen and women in their pursuit of excellence and kindling the ambitious light of our youth to emulate” JOA Secretary General and CEO, Ryan Foster, said.

At the heart of the President Bach’s visit will undoubtedly be fraternal unity as the top brass of the JOA and IOC executives meet on common ground in advancing the Olympic agenda.

“A meeting of the minds in sport, a mutuality of purpose and will and commonality of values will characterize discussions and anchor outcomes” President Samuda stated.

President Bach, a Montreal 1976 Olympic Games gold medalist in the discipline of foil in fencing and a lawyer by profession, will depart the island with his delegation on March 5 on the way to the Dominican Republic after “what we have every confidence will be a milestone in Jamaica’s Olympic experience” Secretary General Foster concluded.

Brittney Griner will return to the WNBA for the 2023 season after reportedly signing a one-year deal with the Phoenix Mercury following a 10-month detainment in Russia.

Griner was arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport in February 2023 for bringing under a gram of cannabis oil into Russia in vape cartridges.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist said she made an "honest mistake", with her lawyers arguing she was using the cannabis for medicinal purposes and was unaware of its illegal status in Russia.

She was subsequently jailed for nine years for drug possession and drug smuggling with criminal intent, but was released in December in a prisoner exchange that saw convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout return to Russia.

Griner stated she planned to play for the Mercury in 2023 following her return to the United States, and the team have reportedly agreed a deal for the eight-time WNBA All-Star to feature in the upcoming season.

Griner was drafted first overall by the Mercury in 2013, going on win the 2014 WNBA championship by sweeping the Chicago Sky in the finals.

Her last game for the team before her imprisonment also came against the Sky in a 2021 WNBA finals defeat after one of the best seasons of her career, during which she averaged 20.5 points, 1.9 blocks and 9.5 rebounds per game.

Griner will look to help the Mercury bounce back after suffering a first-round exit in the WNBA Playoffs in August, with the team set to begin their 2023 campaign against the Los Angeles Sparks on May 19.

President of the Jamaica Gymnastics Association, Nicole Grant, is excited about the association’s ongoing partnership with Supreme Ventures that, she hopes, will help Jamaica conquer the world of Gymnastics in the future.

The Supreme Ventures Gymnastics Classic and National Trials will take place at the Jamaica School of Gymnastics in Kingston from February 11-12.

The juniors will be vying for one spot at the Junior World Championships scheduled for March 25-April 3 in Antalya, Turkey.

The seniors will be vying for five spots at the Pan Am Championships scheduled for Medellin, Colombia from May 22-29. The Pan Am Championships will serve as a qualifier for this year’s Pan Am Games scheduled for October 6-October 22 in Santiago, Chile as well as the World Championships scheduled for Antwerp, Belgium from September 29-October 8. This year’s World Championships will be used as a qualifier for next year’s Paris Olympics.

For the second year in a row, Supreme Ventures, through the connection made by the Jamaica Olympic Association, has signed on as the sponsor for the event, something that Grant is very thankful for.

“We have always been in a partnership with the Jamaica Olympic Association as we are affiliated. In Jamaica, we are a minor sport so the JOA has really helped us form these kinds of partnerships,” Grant said ahead of day one of the trials on Saturday.

“They connected us with Supreme Ventures and they were quite happy with what they saw last year. We did not disappoint them and, as a result, they have come on board for the second year in a row to work with us,” she added.

When asked what she expects from the athletes on display this weekend, Grant encouraged them to show spirit, noting that winning does not mean you will make the respective teams.

“I expect the girls to do the best that they can and show us what they have. Show us how they can fight because when you go out to major competitions you must have that fight,” Grant said.

“We want to see that. You do not necessarily have to win for us to select you. We have a selection process that we use but we want to see what you have to offer or what you are capable of,” she added.

Shaunae Miller-Uibo will not be defending her 400m title at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest in August. She will also not be running the 200m because she is going to be a mommy!

It is common knowledge that the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) is fulfilling one its primary mandates of expanding and deepening Jamaica’s vault in competitive sport while enriching what some describe as “smaller sports” a term which does not exist in the developmental  vocabulary of Jamaica’s  apex body in sport. 

Jerone Ennis, the 2022 American Light Heavyweight Boxing Confederation/Caribbean gold medalist and Commonwealth Youth Welterweight Bronze medalist is on board: “I am a proud representative of the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control and my goal is to represent Jamaica at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and thanks to the JOA which made it possible for me to represent Jamaica at the international level and for developing the ‘smaller’ sporting syndicates.”

Olympian Ricardo Brown, the 2019 Pan American bronze medalist in the men’s super heavyweight (91+kg) class who in 2021 turned professional, puts it in the context of transitioning to the big stage which all athletes envision. “Attending the Tokyo Olympic Games is a memory and an experience  for a lifetime and the JOA was supportive in starting me in the right direction which has expanded more opportunities  for me in my professional career.”

While Brown articulates the dream of athletes,  JOA Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer, Ryan Foster, gives the perspective of his colleague Directors. “For the JOA family two is not better than too many; and while success in sport development is understandably  qualitative, there is a numerical component that materially defines progress and validates the principle “sport for all, all for sport” which is our theme for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.” 

Foster’s comment strikes a chord with Weightlifting Federation President,  Dr. Mark Broomfield whose sport has been creating history. “There is a parallel between educational professions and sporting disciplines. For years many thought that to have a meaningful career one had to be either a Lawyer or a Doctor, no other profession was respected or encouraged until reality proved otherwise. The same is true for sport in the Jamaican landscape. Many only saw football, cricket,  track and field and netball, the female sport, as the only sport worth developing and promoting but “out of many one people” is a platform that promotes diversity and the belief that Jamaicans can represent their country in other sporting disciplines outside of the chosen three or four. Pioneers are known for their ability to pave new path ways and it’s time for new pioneers in sports.” 

Fencing Federation President, James McBean, is also on the same page regarding the JOA’s “no sport being left behind” policy as he says “this really speaks to the effort that the JOA is making in terms of encouraging, honing and in many ways revolutionizing the sporting landscape of Jamaica and what’s also quite poignant is the way in which JOA seems to be going about this is very much in line with the spirit of the IOC in that all these new so called ‘smaller sports’ or new ‘family members’ to the sporting family are treated equally, given a voice, and being encouraged. Nurturing the so-called ‘smaller sports’ is so important because this is a wise investment in Jamaica’s sport and a brilliant use of resources and time.” 

Many Olympic sports are now coming into their own and international  representation across the board continues to be a driving force of the JOA. “Any governing body in sport or otherwise knows that the playing field must be level at all times for governance of members’ aspirations cannot be for some  a valley and others a mountain-top experience. Enshrined in the Olympic Charter is the equal right of all to self-actualisation and to transition to the Olympic stage”  JOA President, Christopher Samuda,  said. 

Olympian and the 2022 Commonwealth Games sliver medalist in the Women 70kg weight category, Ebony  knows the immense potential of her sport. "I want to get to another Olympics and, with that, help Jamaica to improve the awareness of judo as a sport and get more persons to participate. Judo has given so much to my life and I want other people to experience the same - especially the youth. Ultimately, the Jamaica Judo Association is really helping to build the interest in the country as we have a great potential for international success at every age group." 

2023 will witness two major games – the El Salvador Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and the Santiago Pan American Games -  the predecessors of which in 2019 were historic for the JOA in terms of the most sports represented, the most medal haul and the largest contingent. “Our goal is clearly to surpass those milestones and our commitment to those sports who they call minor, is not only major but is mature” Samuda emphasised. 

At the heart of sport  development and success in sport and central to KPIs of any growth strategy is an understanding that is akin to the thought process that goes into any viable investment and revenue strategy: “Diversify, pluralise, economise and then  monetise and don’t allow your eggs to be placed in one basket. The same applies to sport” Foster said. 

In the last decade there has been, noticeably, an emergence of new Olympic sports with well-defined technical cohorts, fan bases and financial backers who are taking some icing and slices from the sporting cake which must necessarily and creatively  be enlarged and enriched to accommodate new tastes and a widening diet of diverse ambitions.

Brittney Griner intends to play in the WNBA next season, having returned to the United States following her release from a Russian prison.

Griner was arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport on February 17 for bringing under a gram of cannabis oil into Russia in vape cartridges.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist said she made an "honest mistake", while her lawyers argued she was using cannabis for medicinal purposes and was unaware cannabis oil was outlawed in Russia.

Griner was subsequently jailed for nine years for drug possession and drug smuggling with criminal intent, but she was released in a prisoner exchange that saw convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout return to Russia last week.

In a statement posted to her Instagram account on Friday, the eight-time WNBA All-Star confirmed she plans to play for the Phoenix Mercury in 2023.

"It feels so good to be home! The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn," Griner said.

"I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help.

"I also want to make one thing very clear: I intend to play basketball for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury this season.

"In doing so, I look forward to being able to say 'thank you' to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon."

In her social media post, Griner also thanked those who had advocated for her release, including "the Phoenix Mercury, the players of the WNBA and my entire WNBA family", as well as US president Joe Biden.

When announcing Griner's return, Biden said the 32-year-old had been "unjustly detained" and described the conditions she endured as "intolerable".

The Phoenix Mercury suffered a first-round exit in the WNBA Playoffs in August and are set to begin their 2023 campaign against the Los Angeles Sparks on May 19.

Brittney Griner has been released from Russian prison and the two-time basketball Olympic gold medallist will be back in America in the next 24 hours, US president Joe Biden said.

At the White House, President Biden confirmed he had spoken to 32-year-old Griner, who was arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport on February 17 for bringing under a gram of cannabis oil into Russia in vape cartridges.

That was shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine, weakening diplomatic relations with the US, and eight-time WNBA All-Star Griner was jailed for nine years in August for drug possession and drug smuggling with criminal intent.

Griner said she made an "honest mistake", and her lawyers argued she was using cannabis for medicinal purposes to treat chronic pain sustained over the course of her career.

They said she was not aware cannabis oil was outlawed in Russia.

Reports in the United States said Griner had been freed in a prisoner exchange that has seen arms dealer Viktor Bout released into Russian hands.

President Biden said Griner had been "unjustly detained in Russia", describing circumstances she endured as "intolerable".

"Brittney will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones, and she should have been there all along," Biden said. "This is a day we've worked towards for a long time."

Biden said there had been "painstaking and intense negotiations". He said recent months had been "hell for Brittney" and stressed efforts were ongoing to free former US Marine Paul Whelan, who is in a Russian jail after being convicted in 2020 on espionage charges.

Biden said Phoenix Mercury player Griner was "in good spirits" and "relieved to be heading home" after enduring "needless trauma".

She was "wrongfully detained" in the first place, Biden said, and he added: "She endured mistreatment and a show trial in Russia with characteristic grit and incredible dignity.

"She wrote to me back in July, she didn't ask for special treatment, even though we'd been working on her release since day one."

Griner's wife Cherelle appeared alongside Biden and said: "Over the last nine months y'all have been so privy to one of the darkest moments of my life."

She said news of Griner's release left her "overwhelmed with emotions", and she offered "sincere gratitude" to Biden and his administration.

"Today it's just a happy day for me and my family," she added.