Caitlin Clark’s Olympics dream is OVER as Diana Taurasi looks ready to go in new Team USA promo

Caitlin Clark’s long-shot hopes of going to this summer’s Olympics appear to be over, as Diana Taurasi appeared in a Team USA promo video on Thursday.

Taurasi, who will be playing in a record sixth Olympic games in Paris, had recently missed three games for the Phoenix Mercury with a leg injury – potentially opening the door for Team USA alternate Clark to take her place.

However, Taurasi (who also missed a game on July 1 with back soreness) returned to the Mercury’s lineup on July 14 and smiled from Team USA camp as she posed with an American flag draped over her shoulders.

‘On the brink of Olympic history. The [GOAT] is chasing a historic sixth Gold Medal,’ the USA basketball X account captioned a video of her, confirming her inclusion on the final roster.

In another post, the 42-year-old Taurasi was seen practicing as her team gears up for the Olympics.

Caitlin Clark’s long-shot Olympic hopes appear to be over as Taurasi looks ready to go

Clark was controversially snubbed from the roster when it was announced in June. 

While there was never any official word from Team USA that Clark would replace Taurasi if the latter wasn’t healthy enough for Paris, the pair play the same position – and Clark has been tearing up the WNBA of late.

The Indiana Fever rookie has already set a franchise record with 213 assists this season (in just 26 games), and also set a leaguewide single-game rookie record with 19 dimes vs. the Dallas Wings on Wednesday.

She’s averaging 17.1 points, 8.2 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game, and will play in the WNBA All-Star Game this weekend.

That’s a far cry from the ‘transition period’ that Taurasi suggested the No. 1 overall pick would face in the pros.

Taurasi was pictured in practice as Team USA gears up for the Olympic Games in Paris

Speaking before Clark played in the national championship game with Iowa, Taurasi told Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter:”Reality is coming, there’s levels to this thing.

‘And that’s just life, we all went through it… You look superhuman playing against some 18 years olds but you’re going to come [play] with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time.

‘Not saying it’s not gonna translate, because when you’re great at what you do, you’re just gonna get better,’ Taurasi added. ‘But there is gonna be a transition period, where you’re gonna have to give yourself some grace as a rookie.’

There were some tough moments for Clark early in the season, as the Fever played a ridiculous nine games in 16 days to open their campaign, but the former Iowa star has rather seamlessly adjusted to life in the WNBA.

Behind her play, the Fever are a respectable 11-15 on the season after starting 2-9.