Paris Olympics 2024: Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso kicked out of Olympic village after Disneyland visit
A swimmer has reportedly been kicked out of the Olympic athletes village after opting to spend a night at Disneyland rather than supporting teammates.
Paraguayan Luana Alonso, a social media sensation who has more than 500,000 Instagram followers, had her Games brought to an end by failing to progress through the heats in the 100m butterfly.
Reports from local media indicated she then visited Disneyland instead of cheering on her compatriots in the pool, with a statement from Paraguayan Olympic Committee chief Larissa Schaerer confirming she had been sent home.
Camera IconLuana Alonso with Rafael Nadal. Credit: Supplied/X/@luanalonsom
“Her presence is creating an inappropriate atmosphere within Team Paraguay,” the statement reads.
“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.”
For her part, the 20-year-old took to Instagram to call out “lies” about her departure.
“I just wanted to clarify that I was never kicked out or expelled from anywhere, please stop spreading false information,” the post reads.
Camera IconLuana Alonso in the athletes village. Credit: Supplied/X/@luanalonsom
The two-time Olympian said she was retiring from swimming after being knocked out of the Games.
“I’m retiring from swimming, thank you all so much for the support,” she said.
“Sorry Paraguay, I only have to thank you!”
Camera IconParaguayan swimmer Luana Alonso. Credit: Supplied/X/@luanalonsom
Alonso is reportedly the second athlete to be sent home from the village so far at the Games, with Brazilian swimmer Ana Carolina Vieira reportedly made to leave after sneaking out of the village to enjoy a night out with her partner.
Australian athletes are required to vacate the village within two days of their participation in the Games coming to an end, which swimmer Ariarne Titmus called “a bit of a rip off”.
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