Caitlin Clark is not joining Canada's Olympic basketball team
- Published on June 26, 2024 at 20:00
- 3 min read
- By Marisha GOLDHAMER, AFP Canada
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"BREAKING: Caitlin Clark Sparks Media Storm with Statement on Joining Canadian Team for 2024 Paris Olympics After US Team Snub," claims a June 17, 2024 Facebook post.
The first comment on the post shares a link to an article that claims: "In a surprising move, Caitlin Clark has agreed to join the Canadian team for the 2024 Olympics, despite a series of controversies and criticisms from experts accusing her of being unpatriotic. Clark will don jersey number 6, a decision that has disappointed many of her fans."
Similar claims linking one of the most talked-about players in women's basketball to Team Canada spread across Threads, TikTok, YouTube and X.
But Matthew Walker, director of communications for Canada Basketball, told AFP on June 25: "The rumor/claim is false."
Canada's Olympic team is finalized (archived here). Bridget Carleton will wear number 6 -- not Clark (archived here).
The image in the posts also appears to be altered, adding Clark's face to Carleton's profile photo.
The USA Basketball Women's National Team did not select Clark for the final roster of its Olympic team in early June (archived here). Some criticized the decision, but Clark sought to quell the controversy, insisting in remarks to reporters that she was not upset.
"Honestly, no disappointment. It just gives me something to work for; it's a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there," Clark said June 9.
"I know it's the most competitive team in the world and I know it could have gone either way -- me being on the team or me not being on the team. I'm going to be rooting them on to win gold."
Clark, born and raised in the US state of Iowa, made no mention of seeking to join Canada's squad. There is also no evidence she is a Canadian citizen, which would make her eligible to play for the team.
AFP contacted representatives for Clark and her WNBA team, the Indiana Fever, but responses were not forthcoming.
Unreliable source
The Caitlin Clark Hoops Facebook page describes itself as an "Entertainment website."
Page transparency details show it was created June 6 and does not have any managers in North America (archived here).
The page has posted a series of articles about women's basketball at the Olympics, including one contradicting the claim that Clark will join Canada's team.
AFP has fact-checked other claims about the Paris Olympics here.
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