Caitlin Clark is showing her support for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, even though she did not make the U.S. women’s basketball team this year.
The Indiana Fever guard, 22, shared her enthusiasm for the Summer Olympics with reporters on Tuesday, July 30. “I watched USA Women yesterday. That was fun. I watched USA men. I try to watch as much as I can,” Clark said. “Obviously, the perfect time is during practice with the time change in Paris, so maybe Christie [Sides] should cancel practice so I can watch more of the Olympics.”
When asked if she felt disappointed about not being part of the team, Clark offered a positive perspective on the situation. “I think the break’s definitely been good. I mean, it’s certainly cool. It’s like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you’re only going to ever get in four years. So, I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily bummed,” she explained. “I think it gives you something to work for, for sure, and something to dream of.”
Clark continued, “And [in] four years, you can be there, and four years comes fast. It makes me think of like that’s your time in college. And I feel like I was just a freshman in college. So it shows you that you know you got to start working now if you want that to be your dream in four years. So I think that’s just that’s it for me is like, you know, work hard, and hopefully you can be there.”
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Clark’s impressive college career at Iowa Hawkeyes, where she became the NCAA Women’s Basketball all-time leading scorer, culminated in her being selected first overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft on Monday, April 15.
While she may not be competing in the Olympics, Clark has earned the respect of her peers, including Brittney Griner, who is currently in Paris with Team USA’s women’s basketball team. “The hype that Caitlin and some others have right now is amazing for the league. There’s good talent coming in,” Griner told PEOPLE in May.
Team USA women’s basketball is set to face Belgium in its second matchup of the Paris Games on Thursday, Aug. 1. Their first game was against Japan on Monday, July 29, which they won decisively with a score of 102-76.
Clark’s attitude and dedication to her craft show that she is taking this time to improve and prepare for future opportunities, including potentially representing her country in the next Olympics. Her journey serves as an inspiration to many aspiring athletes, demonstrating the importance of perseverance and hard work in achieving one’s dreams.
