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WNBA star Brittney Griner shared her harrowing experience of being detained in Russia for months in a special edition of ABC News’ 20/20. Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was sentenced to nine years in prison after being accused of having vape cartridges containing cannabis oil, which is illegal in Russia.

Griner opened up about the “mental lapse” that led her to forget the cartridges in her luggage, attributing it to packing in a hurry while in a panic. Despite pleading guilty to drug charges and testifying that it was unintentional, Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison and faced poor living conditions in a Russian penal colony.

Reflecting on her time in prison, Griner described the harsh conditions, including expired toothpaste and inadequate bedding. She was eventually released in a swap for a convicted Russian arms dealer, but expressed disappointment that another American, Paul Whelan, was left behind.

Since her release, Griner has become an advocate for Americans wrongfully detained abroad, vowing to use her platform to help bring them home. In an Instagram post, she thanked those who advocated for her release and called on President Biden to continue efforts to bring all Americans home.

Griner’s story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by Americans detained in foreign countries and the importance of advocacy and support in securing their release.