Caitlin Clark, a rising star in women’s basketball, will not be competing in the upcoming Paris Olympics, according to a source familiar with the decision. Clark, who recently began her professional career with the Indiana Fever, was unable to participate in the national training camp due to her commitment to leading Iowa to the Final Four. Despite her absence from the Olympic roster, Clark has garnered a significant following in the world of women’s basketball, both during her college career and in her early days in the WNBA.
While Clark will not be making the trip to Paris, fans can expect to see veteran players Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner representing the U.S. Taurasi, a five-time gold medalist, will be competing in her sixth Olympics, making her the record holder for most Olympic appearances in basketball. Griner, who recently faced a harrowing experience in a Russian prison, has vowed to only play internationally with USA Basketball. The roster will also feature other Olympic veterans such as Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Chelsea Gray, and Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young, who secured the first-ever 3×3 gold medal at the Tokyo Games.
In addition to the seasoned players, the U.S. team will include a number of first-time Olympians like Alyssa Thomas, Sabrina Ionescu, and Kahleah Copper, who were part of the team that won the World Cup in Australia in 2022. The American women’s basketball team has dominated the competition, winning gold at every Olympics since 1996 in Atlanta. The team will gather in Phoenix for training before traveling to London for an exhibition match against Germany, followed by their official Olympic matches against Japan, Belgium, and Germany in the group stage.
The decision to exclude Clark from the Olympic roster has sparked discussions among fans and analysts, given her impressive record as the NCAA’s Division I all-time scoring leader. Nevertheless, Clark’s absence opens up opportunities for other talented players to shine on the global stage, including the proven veterans and promising newcomers who will be representing the U.S. in Paris. As the team prepares to defend its legacy of Olympic success, all eyes will be on the squad as they aim to continue their reign as the dominant force in women’s basketball on the international stage.
