WNBA star faces prison in Russia

To add to the visceral sadness of what is going on in Ukraine is the plight of WNBA star Brittney Griner, detained in Russia since February for allegedly having cannabis oil in her luggage at the airport as she was attempting to return to the United States.

The only reason she was over there is because she was invited to play basketball in a Russian league during the off-season, where she earns more than she does in the WNBA.

No doubt the NHL is taking extra precautions to keep its Russian-born players safe, as they should, during this time of extreme tension between Russia and Canada/usa.

Yet where is that same protection and respect for Griner, who faces up to 10 years imprisonment for what would be a minor offence in many jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada?

What does this say to young girls whom we encourage to take up sport in order to be the best they can be when this is happening to one who becomes the very best of all?

Sports fan or not, we owe it to Griner to do everything possible to see her safely back home. A word after the national anthem before games would help raise awareness. Tim Nickel, Saskatoon