Caitlin Clark (Image Via Getty)Several Olympic athletes from the United States and Germany have publicly questioned how the WNBA has handled recent incidents involving Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. Speaking to Fox News Digital, they said the league should do more to protect players and keep the focus on basketball. Their comments come after weeks of debate surrounding Clark, including a play in which she was struck in the throat by another player and another game where she was seen arguing with referees.Nancy Hogshead, Donna de Varona and Katie Uhlaender say Caitlin Clark deserves better protectionThree-time Olympic gold medalist Nancy Hogshead said the WNBA must take stronger action when player safety is involved.“The WNBA needs the courage to act decisively for athlete safety. Caitlin Clark is a generational superstar, but she deserves the same protection as every player.”Four-time Olympic medalist Sharron Davies also shared her thoughts with Fox News Digital. She said Clark has earned respect through her performances, but the conversation has moved away from basketball.“As an Olympian, I’ve always believed sports has never been about what you look like or where you come from. It’s always been finding the answer to one pressing question: can the champion stay on top, or can the next contender rise up and take their place?”Davies added that Clark has faced repeated hard fouls and heavy criticism while bringing a much larger audience to the WNBA.Two-time Olympic gold medalist Donna de Varona said the treatment of Clark sends the wrong message.“For those of us pioneers who had no college or professional sports opportunities and have worked tirelessly to elevate all women in sports, the abuse behavior directed at Caitlin Clark is disrespectful and shortsighted. A talented performer in any sport lifts up everyone. Players who do not understand this are undermining the WNBA.”Five-time U.S. Olympian Katie Uhlaender questioned why stronger action had not been taken after Clark was hit in the throat.“Holy Cow! That’s what I thought when seeing a fist on Caitlin’s throat. Then to hear Sophie Cunningham say she feels they are targeting her? What’s being done about this?” She also said all players deserve fair play and consistent officiating.Steffen Gebhardt and Eli Bremer question the WNBA’s direction amid Caitlin Clark debateGerman modern pentathlon world champion and Olympian Steffen Gebhardt said sports leagues should focus on competition instead of outside distractions.“The goal of every functional sports league should be to promote the sport and the athletes in the sport. The goal of all of the athletes in the league should be to showcase their athleticism to the fans. When the public focus of the league becomes peripheral drama having nothing to do with the fundamental sport, the league will always suffer.”Former U.S. Olympian Eli Bremer, who competed in modern pentathlon at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, also criticized the league’s handling of the situation.“The WNBA never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity. Having spent years falling all over themselves seemingly trying to build a social movement rather than an actual sports league, they are now botching a once in a generation opportunity with an athlete like Caitlin Clark.”The WNBA has not announced any policy changes in response to these comments. However, the debate around Clark, player safety and officiating continues to draw attention from well beyond the basketball world.