Swimmer Luana Alonso booted from Olympic Village!
It’s been an eventful Paris Olympics for Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso.
The 20-year-old athlete’s journey took a dramatic turn after she was asked to leave the Olympic Village.
Collegiate swimming career highlighted.
Alonso, who swam for Virginia Tech and later SMU, has been a standout athlete.
Alonso’s Olympic journey began at a young age, inspired by her country’s limited exposure in the sport.
She went viral for her Olympic rings tattoo on her hip before the Paris Games.
Her 2023 season was a highlight, with career bests in the 100m and 200m butterfly events.
She also competed in the NCAA championships, making her mark in collegiate swimming.
As she navigated the pressures of elite competition, her vibrant personality often shone through.
However, it seems this time, her exuberance might have crossed the line.
Despite her controversies, Alonso’s presence at the Paris Games wasn’t entirely unexpected.
Disappointing heat finish for Alonso.
She finished sixth in her heat with a time of 1:03.09, slower than her 1:00.37 in the Tokyo Olympics.
US swimmers Torri Huske and Gretchen Walsh took first and second place in the event.
Retirement announcement on Instagram detailed.
Following her race, Alonso took to Instagram to announce her retirement.
“It’s official! I’m retiring from swimming, thank you all so much for your support!” she wrote.
“Sorry Paraguay ♥️ I just have to say thank you!” she added in an emotional message.
In a heartfelt follow-up post, Alonso thanked the sport for shaping her life.
“Swimming: thank you for allowing me to dream, you taught me to fight, to try, perseverance, sacrifice, discipline and many more things,” she wrote.
Photo collection exposed.
She shared a collection of photos from her career, highlighting the joys and friendships she gained.
“I gave you part of my life and I wouldn’t change that for anything in the world,” she added.
Disappointing performance exposed.
Her eviction came on the heels of a disappointing performance in the women’s 100m butterfly event.
The swimmer hinted at her retirement last month, making her Instagram followers speculate.
Alonso failed to advance out of her heat and announced her retirement from the sport shortly after.
However, her departure from the pool wasn’t the only reason she made headlines.
Reason for departure revealed.
According to The Sun, Alonso was asked to leave due to her creating an “inappropriate atmosphere” within Team Paraguay.
“Her presence is creating an inappropriate atmosphere within Team Paraguay,” said Larissa Schaerer, head of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee.
Schaerer thanked Alonso for leaving willingly, stating it was by her own free will she didn’t spend the night in the Athletes’ Village.
Concerning behavior detailed.
Reports suggest Alonso’s behavior off the pool deck was a cause for concern.
Paraguayan media outlets reported she spent time at Disneyland instead of supporting her teammates.
This move reportedly upset the country’s Olympic leadership.
Furthermore, The Daily Mail cited that Alonso’s “skimpy clothing and socializing with other athletes” became a distraction.
As of now, Alonso has yet to address her abrupt departure from the Olympic Village.
In the meantime, Alonso’s legacy as a swimmer and her dramatic exit from the Games continue to spark conversations.