Month: June 2022

WNBA star Brittney Griner appeared briefly during a closed-door preliminary hearing in Russia on Monday, with the Russian court scheduling Griner’s trial to start Friday, according to her lawyer. The court also ruled Griner’s detention be extended six months pending its outcome. The Olympic gold medal-winning basketball player and WNBA champion appeared in the Russian court in suburban Moscow in handcuffs and left without comment. Griner could face 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of large-scale transportation of drugs.

Russian authorities took Griner, 31, into custody at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Russia on Feb. 17, just days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Griner plays for the Phoenix Mercury in the U.S., and plays in Russia during the WNBA’s offseason Russian authorities claimed Griner had cannabis oil in her luggage and accused her of smuggling significant amounts of a narcotic substance, an offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The U.S. State Department has since ruled that Griner is being “wrongfully detained,” a designation that allows it to advocate more forcefully on her behalf. The State Department said last month it is continuing its efforts on Griner’s behalf and other Americans detained in Russia. Jalina Porter, principal deputy spokesperson with the State Department, said about Griner and other Americans detained by Russia: “What we’ve said and will continue to say from here is that we have no other priority than the safety and security of the United States citizens who are overseas, and we continue to insist that the government of Russia allow for consistent and timely consular access to all U.S. citizens — U.S. citizen detainees in Russia, including those in pretrial detention — in compliance with its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and bilateral consular convention with the United States. Our requests for access are consistently delayed or denied, and we will continue to press for fair and transparent treatment for all U.S. citizen detainees in Russia.”

Editorial credit: Phil Stafford / Shutterstock.com

Novak Djokovic defeated Kwon Soon-woo 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Centre Court at Wimbledon on Monday, his 80th victory at the grass-court.  Djokovic, a six-time champion at the All England Club, made history and becomes the first man or woman to win that many matches at each of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments.

Djokovic said: “It’s always very unique match to play as the defending champion, first on the grass. Other than this year that Wimbledon made a change so you could practice before the tournament starts, it was always coming out on the untouched grass. It’s really a unique and special feeling in our sport.”

Djokovic was playing for the first time since losing to Rafael Nadal last month in the French Open quarterfinals. He has won the last three Wimbledon titles, and is going for his seventh overall which would tie him for second place with Pete Sampras and William Renshaw.  Roger Federer leads with eight Wimbledon titles.

Editorial credit: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com

The Colorado Avalanche are the 2022 Stanley Cup champions, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Sunday night to win the series in six games.  It is the Avalanche’s third Stanley Cup in franchise history, and their first since 2001.

Steven Stamkos earned the first goal of the game in the first period, while Nathan MacKinnon responded and scored his 13th goal of the playoffs to even the game 1-1. At the 12:28 mark, Artturi Lehkonen scored the game-winning goal, with assists from MacKinnon and Josh Manson. Avalanche goalie Darcy Kuemper made 22 saves on Sunday. Lehkonen had eight goals and six assists in the playoffs.

Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs. Makar, who also won the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman in 2021-22, recorded eight goals and 21 assists during the playoffs.

The Avalanche earned 72 wins on the year, tying the 1976-77 Canadiens, 1983-84 Oilers and 1995-96 Red Wings for most in a season (regular and postseason combined).

Editorial credit: Klara_Steffkova / Shutterstock.com