Diana Taurasi rants against critics questioning her age and retirement during the Paris Olympics play: "It's disrespectful"

Diana Taurasi couldn't escape criticism amid her historic six-straight Olympic appearance in women's basketball. As it is, the Phoenix Mercury superstar has defied Father Time, a testament to her longevity in this year's Summer Games . But outside noise continues to swirl around, questioning her ongoing play at age 42.

Ahead of her Paris opener with the United States against Japan, Taurasi set the record straight about how offensive it is to receive nonstop queries about retirement while she's fully ready and capable of representing the Stars and Stripes.

"When you dedicate your whole life and whole career to something, and you get the question of 'Why don't you just retire?'. It is a bit disrespectful," Taurasi said . "I'm here to compete, I'm here to play at a high level, I'm here to give it to my teammates, and I'm here to win a gold medal. That's it. I don't care about the last 20 years. I'm worried about the next 20 years."

For women's basketball

Diana's streak of Olympic participation is unprecedented. She is set to become the only basketball athlete to compete in six Olympics, in which she first appeared in the 2004 Games in Athens off her rookie campaign with the Mercury.

Taurasi's participation in the U.S. women's in the 2024 Olympics was met with mixed reactions. Although the majority praised her commitment to bringing glory to the nation, some expressed skepticism about her inclusion concerning her age and the amount of international achievement she already amassed.

Many believed she should've given her roster spot to some young blood, which was intriguingly disregarded in the selection process, especially Caitlin Clark, whom Collin Cowherd actively campaigned . Amid criticisms, Diana stood defiant and said she'd inspire women's basketball by shattering some dogmas and paving the way for the sport.

"Only a woman would have 20 years of experience, and it's an Achilles heel instead of something that is treasured and used as a way forward for our sport and for women. Hopefully, we can change that narrative," she concluded.

Related: “That's not the Stock I play with every night in Utah" - Karl Malone grew worried witnessing John Stockton's struggles on the Dream Team

A vital presence for USAWB

It's unfair that Diana constantly faces issues and questions about her case to be included in the United States team because, in fact, she rightfully earned the privilege to join them. In her 20th WNBA season, her production remains stellar, with 16.1 points, 4.7 boards, and 2.6 assists. In addition, her rich experience playing at the Olympics couldn't be more vital for the Americans to clinch that sixth-straight gold.

Instead of expressing doubts about how long she can still hoop at the high level, we can only offer our flowers for Taurasi in her unparalleled ways of changing the game for women. Her sixth play at the Olympics is undoubtedly remarkable and deserves nothing but celebration.

Related: Sue Bird talks about her rivalry with Diana Taurasi: "For me and her, there are a lot of big games that we competed against each other"