The Olympics is currently facing numerous challenges, many of which are self-inflicted. Among these issues is the controversy surrounding Caitlin Clark’s exclusion from the Team USA women’s basketball squad. Fans are livid, and now Dawn Staley, a member of the selection committee, is trying to backtrack on her decision.
Dawn Staley recently made headlines by commenting on the decision to leave Caitlin Clark off the Team USA roster. Despite her previous stance, Staley now admits that if they could do it over again, Caitlin Clark would be given high consideration. This admission comes after significant backlash from fans and sports commentators.
Staley’s comments have not been well received by fans. Many believe she is only trying to save face after the negative response. Fans expected to see Caitlin Clark, an emerging superstar, representing the USA, but instead, they saw players like Diana Taurasi and Chelsea Gray, the latter having not played for the last nine months, making the team over Clark.
Critics argue that this decision was not based on merit. Caitlin Clark’s statistics and performance in the WNBA have been outstanding. In the 15 games following the initial Olympic team selection, she averaged 18.2 points and 9.5 assists per game, even setting a single-game record with 19 assists.
Caitlin Clark’s former high school coach, Chrisy Mayer, has also spoken out. Mayer reminded Clark that this isn’t the first time she’s been snubbed by Team USA. In 2018, despite performing well, Clark was left off the U17 World Cup USA squad. This previous exclusion seems to follow a pattern, suggesting a long-standing bias against her.
The backlash isn’t just from fans. Some believe that other committee members, like Cheryl Reeve, have significant influence over the final roster and may have had their reasons for not including Clark. This exclusion has sparked debate over the fairness and transparency of the selection process.
Despite calls for a boycott, the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics saw record ratings. NBC reported 32 million viewers tuned in, an 83% increase from the Tokyo Olympics. This indicates that, despite the controversy, interest in the Olympics remains high.
Dawn Staley’s attempt to backtrack on her decision has not quelled the anger. Fans are roasting her for the apparent bias and lack of foresight. They argue that Clark’s exclusion was a mistake that has potentially cost the team valuable support and enthusiasm from fans who were eager to see her play.
The fallout from this decision is likely to continue, with many questioning the integrity of the selection process. Caitlin Clark’s talent and performance make her a clear candidate for Team USA, and her exclusion has left many feeling disappointed and disillusioned with the leadership of USA women’s basketball.
As the controversy continues, it’s clear that fans are not ready to forgive and forget. The decision to exclude Caitlin Clark will be scrutinized for years to come, and it will be a point of contention every time Team USA takes the court.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story. Keep those bells on because we’ll bring you the latest news. Until next time, shake the haters off. Peace out.
