Paraguayan Swimmer Faces Olympic Drama
Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso, who failed to advance out of her heat into the women’s 100m butterfly semifinals on July 27, was asked to leave the Olympic Village at the Paris Games for creating an “inappropriate atmosphere,” according to The Sun. The 20-year-old failed to advance in the women’s 100m butterfly semifinals and subsequently retired from competitive swimming.
Retirement and controversy
Alonso’s departure from the Olympic Village came after her disappointing performance in the 100m butterfly heat, where she finished sixth with a time of 1:03.09, a drop from her 1:00.37 performance at the Tokyo Olympics. Despite announcing her retirement, she continued to stay in the village, leading to tensions with Paraguayan Olympic officials.
“Her presence is creating an inappropriate atmosphere within Team Paraguay,” stated Larissa Schaerer, head of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee. Schaerer acknowledged Alonso’s compliance in leaving the village voluntarily.
Disneyland visit sparks outrage
Reports indicate that Alonso visited Disneyland instead of supporting her teammates, further upsetting the country’s Olympic leadership. This move, coupled with her continued stay in the village post-retirement, led to the decision to ask her to leave.
Following her final 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! Sorry Paraguay ♥️ I just have to say thank you!” She followed up with an emotional message reflecting on her journey: “Swimming: thank you for allowing me to dream, you taught me to fight, to try, perseverance, sacrifice, discipline, and many more things.”
Alonso, who transferred from Virginia Tech to SMU and set career bests in 2023, has yet to comment on her removal from the Olympic Village. Her Olympic journey, marked by highs and lows, ended on a note of controversy and reflection.