One of the most debated sports decisions of the summer was leaving Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark off the U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team roster. The choice sparked significant controversy and widespread discussion, especially given Clark’s rising prominence in the sport.
Despite the ongoing media attention surrounding Clark’s exclusion, Team USA head coach Cheryl Reeve assures that her players have remained focused on their primary goal: winning the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. According to Reeve, the team has successfully tuned out the external noise and stayed committed to their mission.
“Honestly, the players don’t think about it as much as we all talk about it because they weren’t involved in those decisions, so it’s not on their minds,” Reeve told the *San Francisco Chronicle*. “Their focus is on this journey and their mission to win a gold medal. Sure, they hear the chatter [about Clark], but it’s not something that preoccupies them.”
While Team USA has faced criticism for lower television ratings and lackluster attendance at this year’s Olympics—issues many believe would be mitigated if Clark were on the team—the squad has nonetheless advanced to the gold-medal game. Clark’s absence, however, has not gone unnoticed, especially among her vast and passionate fan base. Evidence of her global popularity surfaced when fans, who went viral, were spotted wearing her Iowa Hawkeyes jersey during the USA’s 87-68 victory over Germany in their final group play match last Sunday.
Although Team USA extended its Olympic winning streak to 60 games with an 85-64 victory over Australia on Friday, a streak that dates back to the 1992 Games, there’s no denying that the presence of the 22-year-old WNBA Rookie of the Year front-runner would have added even more excitement and fanfare to the tournament.
While the team has proven its dominance without Clark, it’s clear that her star power could have brought an additional level of enthusiasm and energy to the Olympic stage. Nonetheless, Team USA remains steadfast in its pursuit of another gold medal, with the players staying focused on the task at hand.
