Caitlin Clark made an Olympic appearance of sorts following her snub from the women’s basketball roster, as she watched the Team USA swimming trials at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Clark was controversially left off of the USA’s women’s basketball roster when the squad was officially named earlier this month, with names like Sabrina Ionescu and Diana Taurasi selected over her.
But the rookie guard vowed afterwards that she’d ‘still be rooting them on to win gold,’ and showed her Olympic spirit on Tuesday as she and her Fever teammates took in some swimming action.
Clark waved to the crowd after being introduced at Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Indianapolis Colts.
Olympic swimming trials have been running since June 15 and will conclude on June 23.
Caitlin Clark waved to the crowd as she was introduced at the USA swimming trials
Clark attended the event at Lucas Oil Stadium alongside her Indiana Fever teammates
Seven-time Olympic gold medalist Caeleb Dressel made his debut in these trials on Tuesday, as he posted the third-fastest time in the 100-meter freestyle.
USA basketball’s decision to leave Clark at home for the Paris Games was highly criticized, though Clark herself took the move in stride.
‘I know it’s the most competitive team in the world and I know it could’ve gone either way, me being on the team or me not being on the team,’ she said.
‘I’m excited for them, gonna be rooting them on to win gold. I was a kid that grew up watching the Olympics, it’ll be fun to watch them.
‘Honestly, no disappointment. I think 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 bit more motivation. You remember that and hopefully when four years comes back around, I can be there.’
Clark and the Indiana Fever have won four of their last six contests following a brutal start
The rookie said she’ll still be rooting for the USA women’s basketball team this summer in Paris
Even if Clark is not yet an Olympian, she is proving to be absolutely box office viewing in the WNBA.
Her showdown with rival Angel Reese over the weekend averaged 2.25 million viewers, CBS said, amounting to the league’s most-watched game in 23 years.
Viewership peaked at 3 million households, and it was also the most streamed WNBA game ever on Paramount+ in terms of households, minutes and average minute audience.