Luana Alonso, a 20-year-old swimmer from Paraguay, has become the focal point of a media frenzy following her participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics. While she narrowly missed qualifying for the women’s 100m butterfly semi-final by just 0.24 seconds, it’s her off-pool behavior that has generated widespread controversy and led to her expulsion from the Olympic Village.
A Promising Career Tainted by Controversy
Born on September 19, 2004, Luana Alonso is a competitive swimmer specializing in butterfly stroke events. A national record holder for Paraguay in the 100m butterfly, Alonso has represented her country on multiple international stages, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she first gained attention as a rising star. Despite her early promise, her second Olympic appearance in Paris has been overshadowed by controversy.
Expelled from the Olympic Village
Alonso’s participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics took a dramatic turn when the Paraguayan Olympic Committee (POC) asked her to leave the Olympic Village, citing her behavior as disruptive to the team’s atmosphere. In a statement, POC President Larissa Schaerer noted that Alonso’s presence was “creating an inappropriate atmosphere within Team Paraguay.” Schaerer added that Alonso chose not to spend the night in the Athletes’ Village, following the committee’s instructions.
Reports suggest that Alonso’s choice of “skimpy clothing” and her social interactions with other athletes were seen as distractions to her teammates. The situation escalated when it was revealed that Alonso had visited Disneyland Paris while her teammates were still competing, raising further questions about her commitment to the team.
Desire to Represent the United States
Adding fuel to the controversy, it was reported that Alonso had previously expressed a preference for representing the United States rather than Paraguay at the Olympics. During a live stream on Instagram before the summer games, Alonso allegedly stated her desire to compete for the U.S., which raised eyebrows among fans and officials back home.
Also Read-Paris 2024 Shock: Vinesh Phogat Defeats Unbeaten Yui Susaki
Alonso’s Denial and Retirement Announcement
Amid the swirling allegations, Alonso has strongly denied the claims against her, asserting that “I want to clarify that I was never expelled from the Olympic Village or any other place,” Alonso said on Monday. “Please stop spreading false information. I have no further comments to make, but I won’t let these lies affect me.”
Despite her denial, the controversy seems to have taken its toll. Following her elimination in the heats, Alonso announced her retirement from competitive swimming, stating, “It was my last race. I am retiring from swimming.”
Who Is Luana Alonso?
- Early Life and Career: Born in Paraguay, Luana Alonso is a national record holder in the 100m butterfly. She first represented her country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at just 17 years old.
- Education: Alonso is a student at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, USA, where she is a part of the women’s swimming and diving team. She had earlier completed a semester at Virginia Tech.
- Olympic Appearances: Alonso made her second Olympic appearance in Paris but was eliminated after finishing sixth in her heat.She also competed in the Youth Olympic Games, South American Games, and World Championships.
- Controversial Conduct: Reports from local media and outlets like The Daily Mail suggest that Alonso’s behavior, including her clothing choices and socializing, became a distraction at the Games. Her visit to Disneyland Paris instead of supporting her team added to the backlash.
- Social Media Presence: Alonso has a significant following on Instagram, with over 898,000 followers. She used the platform to address the accusations against her, denying the reports of her expulsion.
A Career Marred by Controversy
The incident has undoubtedly tarnished Alonso’s image and raised broader questions about athlete conduct and team dynamics at the Olympics. As the dust settles on what has been a tumultuous Olympic experience for Luana Alonso, the full extent of the controversy and its impact on her future remains to be seen.
For now, the once-promising career of this young swimmer from Paraguay has come to an abrupt and controversial end.
