Olympic swimmer Luana Alonso faced a surprising twist in her Olympic journey when she was reportedly expelled from the Olympic Village by Paraguay team officials for allegedly creating an “inappropriate atmosphere.” The glamorous Olympian made headlines by announcing her retirement from swimming on the very first day of the Paris Games, following her early exit in the butterfly heats.
Paraguayan Olympic Chief Says They Asked Swimmer Luana Alonso to Leave The Olympic Village Because She Was Being “Too Distracting” and Creating an “Inappropriate Atmosphere” to The Other Athletes (Photos) https://t.co/tyNMJSlbf4 pic.twitter.com/roatubeEFI
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) August 5, 2024
Alonso had traveled to France with high hopes, representing Paraguay in the women’s 100-meter butterfly event. Despite her efforts, she finished just 0.24 seconds behind Georgia’s Ana Nizharadze, missing out on a spot in the semi-finals by a whisker.
Overwhelmed by emotion, the 20-year-old swimmer publicly apologized for not advancing further and took to Instagram to reveal her decision to retire from the sport she had dedicated her life to.
According to the Daily Mail, Alonso had planned to explore the sights of Paris after her retirement and was seen mingling with other athletes in casual attire within the Olympic Village. However, her plans took an unexpected turn when she was accused of creating an “inappropriate atmosphere.” Consequently, Paraguayan Olympic Committee chief Larissa Schaerer ordered her to leave the Village and stay in a hotel until her departure from France two days later.
Paraguay Sent Luana Alonso Home From The Olympics For Creating An ‘Inappropriate Atmosphere’, Which Apparently Included Sneaking Out To Disneyland https://t.co/B4Ajema2Vw pic.twitter.com/iCaFexEq45
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 5, 2024
“She competed on Saturday the 27th [July], and after finishing her competition, she declared her intention to retire,” Schaerer explained to Paraguayan station Radio Monumental 1080 AM. “Neither we nor her coach were aware of this decision, though we respect it. She was scheduled to leave on the morning of the 29th, but that afternoon, she informed me that she planned to stay in a hotel. I asked her to confirm this in writing since she was part of our delegation and was officially withdrawing. She complied, and we authorized her departure from the delegation. However, the next day, on Sunday the 28th, I encountered her at the Olympic Village dressed for an outing, not in the delegation’s attire.”
Schaerer continued, “She hasn’t met the standards of a high-performance athlete for some time, as reported by her coach. Her situation, like every athlete’s, was to be reviewed upon her return. We evaluate their behavior, preparation, and performance post-Olympics. We’ve had issues with her fulfilling these requirements.”
In her heartfelt Instagram post announcing her retirement, Alonso shared with her 500,000 followers: “Swimming, thank you for letting me dream. You taught me to fight, persevere, sacrifice, and be disciplined. I gave you a part of my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything because I experienced the best moments, made friends from all over the world, and had unique opportunities. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you soon.”
Luana Alonso speaks out over claims she was removed from Olympics Village
🟠 The swimmer has broken her silence on claims she created an “inappropriate atmosphere”.
🔗 – https://t.co/LIYPCgWE5C pic.twitter.com/AXTEgJWmMp
— Newsweek Entertainment (@NewsweekCulture) August 6, 2024
Alonso’s story, marked by unexpected twists and emotional highs, captivated many and left a lasting impression on her fans and the Olympic community.
Major Points:
- Luana Alonso was reportedly expelled from the Olympic Village by Paraguayan officials for allegedly creating an “inappropriate atmosphere.”
- Alonso announced her retirement from swimming on the first day of the Paris Games after failing to advance in the butterfly heats.
- She competed in the women’s 100-meter butterfly event but missed the semi-finals by finishing 0.24 seconds behind Georgia’s Ana Nizharadze.
- After her retirement, Alonso was seen socializing in civilian clothes within the Olympic Village, leading to her expulsion and relocation to a hotel.
- In an Instagram post, Alonso expressed gratitude for her swimming career, highlighting the experiences, discipline, and friendships she gained, and reassuring fans that her departure was not a final goodbye.
Kirk Volo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
