Brittney Griner, settling into her seat on the Eurostar train, watched “Vikings” to distract herself from memories of her last train ride, which led to a Russian prison in 2022. Reflecting on that moment, Griner felt a surge of anxiety but found solace in realizing her freedom and focus on winning gold. This time, the journey was part of her commute to the Paris Olympics with her U.S. teammates.
Griner and the U.S. women’s basketball team traveled by train from London to France for the Olympics. Special accommodations were made, mirroring those for the men’s team. The team arrived early at the London station, passed smoothly through passport control, and spent time in a private lounge before boarding their private train car. The trip was spent watching movies, eating, or napping, with the coaching staff reviewing game videos.
The team’s arrival in France was meticulously organized. Passengers took quick photos through the train windows as the team exited at Lille station. They proceeded to a waiting bus for a ride to the arena for practice. Guard Sabrina Ionescu appreciated the ease of train travel and considered it for future family trips to London.
The U.S. women played an exhibition game in London against Germany and used the train for a quick transfer to Lille for pool play. Their bags had been sent ahead to their Paris hotel, awaiting their arrival after practice. This seamless travel experience aimed to keep the team focused and stress-free as they prepared for their Olympic opener against Japan on Monday night.
