Caitlin Clark made an Olympic appearance of sorts after being left off the women’s basketball roster while watching Team USA’s swimming trials at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Clark was controversially left off the U.S. women’s basketball roster when the roster was officially named earlier this month, with names like Sabrina Ionescu and Diana Taurasi chosen over her.
But the rookie guard vowed afterwards that she would “still keep pushing them to win gold,” and showed her Olympic spirit on Tuesday when she and her Fever teammates got in some swimming action.
Clark waved to the crowd after being introduced at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts.
The Olympic swimming trials have been running since June 15 and end on June 23.
Caitlin Clark waved to the crowd as she was introduced to the US swimming trials
Clark attended the event at Lucas Oil Stadium with her Indiana Fever teammates
Seven-time Olympic gold medalist Caeleb Dressel made his debut in these trials on Tuesday, when he posted the third-fastest time in the 100-metre freestyle.
USA Basketball’s decision to leave Clark at home for the Paris Games was widely criticized, although Clark himself took the step.
“I know this is the most competitive team in the world and I know it could have gone either way whether I was on the team or not,” she said.
“I’m excited for them, I’m going to cheer them on to win gold. I was a kid who grew up watching the Olympics, it will be fun to watch it.
‘Honestly not a disappointment. I guess it just gives you something to work for. It’s a dream, hopefully one day I can be there. I think it’s just a little more motivation. Remember that and hopefully I can be there in four years.”
Clark and the Indiana Fever have won four of their last six games after a brutal start
The rookie said she will still play for the U.S. women’s basketball team this summer in Paris
Even if Clark isn’t an Olympian yet, she’s definitely proving to be a blockbuster in the WNBA.
Her showdown with rival Angel Reese over the weekend drew an average of 2.25 million viewers, according to CBS, marking the league’s most-watched match in 23 years.
Viewership peaked at 3 million households, and it was was also the most-streamed WNBA game ever on Paramount+ in terms of households, minutes and average audience minutes.