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Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi Respond to Criticism After the Paris Olympics

Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi have found themselves at the center of controversy following their performance at the Paris Olympics. Team USA narrowly won the gold medal against France with a score of 67-66, but both Griner and Taurasi faced criticism for their limited contributions on the court.

Diana Taurasi, a legendary figure in women’s basketball, was notably benched for the entire gold medal game, despite being a six-time Olympian. Fans and critics alike questioned her presence on the team, especially given her minimal impact in earlier games.

In response to the criticism, Taurasi made a light-hearted remark, highlighting that both she and her former teammate Sue Bird, who holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals in basketball, ended their careers with the same number of points in their final games—none.

Brittney Griner, who played only five minutes in the final game, also received backlash, particularly from those who questioned her emotional response during the medal ceremony. Griner had previously made headlines for her political stances and her incarceration in Russia, which some critics brought up in their comments.

Despite this, Griner took to social media to express her pride in winning the gold, stating, “Some love to see it, some hate to see it, but you all see it. #OlympicDynasty #ThirdGoldHitsDifferent.”

Both players’ responses highlight the ongoing challenges and scrutiny that professional athletes, particularly women, face in the public eye, especially during high-stakes events like the Olympics. While their contributions to the game may have been limited this time, their legacy and impact on the sport remain significant.