The Olympics continue, but Luana Alonso, a Paraguayan swimmer, must leave the athletes’ village. Luana, 20 years old, has become a popular figure at the 2024 Paris games. But her presence upset her teammates.
Luana Alonso got told to leave for distracting her team. This news came after she retired from swimming. Alonso came to Paris with the Paraguayan swimming team. She did not make the 100m butterfly semi-finals. She placed sixth, which got her removed from the games.
Even though she lost, Alonso stayed in the athletes’ village. There, competitors socialize, eat, and train together. She should have stayed until the Olympics ended on Sunday, August 11.
But she had to leave when Larissa Schaerer, the Paraguay team’s general manager, told her to go. Schaerer said Alonso’s presence disturbed her team. TMZ reported that Alonso asked to leave the athletes’ village. Schaerer agreed. Alonso returned the next day, but Schaerer told her to leave again.
Swimmer Luana Alonso Ends Career with Heartfelt Instagram Post
Luana Alonso then shared her retirement news on Instagram. She did not qualify for the 100m butterfly semi-finals. She posted a picture in her swim gear, looking sad. She wrote:
“It’s official now! I’m retiring from swimming. Thank you all so much for the support! Sorry Paraguay [red heart emoji]. I only have to thank you!”
Alonso shared more pictures from the swimming event. She expressed her love for the sport. She wrote, “Swimming: thank you for allowing me to dream. You taught me to fight, try, persevere, sacrifice, and discipline.”
The 20-year-old thanked swimming for giving her many joys, friends from other countries, and the best experiences of her life. She said she would not change anything. She ended with, “It’s not goodbye, it’s see you soon.”
Luana Alonso’s early departure and retirement mark the end of her swimming journey. Her story at the Paris Olympics shows the ups and downs of an athlete’s career.
To read our blog on “NBC Announcer Leigh Diffey’s Error Highlights Tensions in Olympic Coverage,” click here
