Paris, France – It has been an eventful Paris Olympics for Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso. The 20-year-old athlete, who retired after failing to advance in the women’s 100m butterfly semifinals on July 27, was asked to leave the Olympic Village for creating an inappropriate environment, according to The Sun.
“Her presence is creating an inappropriate atmosphere within Team Paraguay,” said Larissa Schaerer, head of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee, in a statement. “We thank her for proceeding as instructed, as it was of her own free will that she did not spend the night in the Athletes’ Village.”
Despite her retirement, Alonso reportedly stayed in the Olympic Village. Paraguayan media outlets noted that she visited Disneyland instead of supporting her teammates, which upset the country’s Olympic leadership.
Alonso finished sixth in her heat at 1:03.09, slower than her 1:00.37 performance in the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. U.S. swimmers Torri Huske and Gretchen Walsh secured the first and second positions, respectively.
“It’s official! I’m retiring from swimming; thank you so much for your support!” Alonso announced on Instagram following the event. “Sorry, Paraguay ♥️ I just have to say thank you!” She expressed gratitude to the sport in a heartfelt message, highlighting the lessons and experiences it provided her.
“Swimming: thank you for allowing me to dream. You taught me to fight, to try, persevere, sacrifice, discipline, and many more things,” she wrote, accompanied by photos from her Paris Olympics competition.
Alonso, who hinted that Paris would be her last Olympics in an Instagram post last month, has yet to address her departure from the Olympic Village. Alonso, a former collegiate swimmer who spent a season at Virginia Tech before transferring to SMU, gained viral fame for her Olympic rings tattoo. She had a strong 2023, setting career bests in the 100m and 200m butterfly events and competing in the NCAA championships.
