SAEDNEWS: It has been a forgettable Olympic Games for one swimmer who has already confirmed it will be her last.
According to SAEDNEWS, The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris have seen a surprising turn of events as Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso has been expelled from the Olympic village due to what has been described as "inappropriate behavior."
At just 20 years old, Luana's Olympic journey came to an abrupt end when she failed to advance beyond the heats in the women's 100m butterfly. Following her elimination, it was revealed that she was asked to leave the Olympic village, where many athletes stay, following complaints about the atmosphere she was creating.
"Her presence is creating an inappropriate atmosphere within Team Paraguay," stated Larissa Schaerer, the head of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee. She added, "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."
Despite being eliminated from the competition, Alonso remained in the Olympic village but did not exactly embody the spirit of a supportive teammate. Reports indicated that her behavior was distracting to her fellow athletes. Notably, she seemed to disregard the official team kit provided by Paraguayan officials, opting instead to wear her own outfits.
After her expulsion, Alonso checked into a hotel in Paris, where she enjoyed the city’s vibrant scene by visiting high-end boutiques and upscale restaurants. With an impressive 500,000 followers on social media, she shared glimpses of her Parisian escapades, which contributed to the Paraguayan Olympic Committee's decision to remove her from the village following reports of her distracting behavior.
Typically, athletes are expected to remain for the duration of the Olympics, participating in the closing ceremony and celebrations alongside their peers. However, the Paraguayan Olympic Committee’s decision to relocate her reflects their dissatisfaction with her actions as she was instructed to stay in a hotel rather than in shared accommodations.
While in Paris, Luana was seen visiting Euro Disney, posing with Mickey Mouse ears in front of the iconic castle. Following her sixth-place finish in the 100m butterfly event, she made the abrupt announcement of her retirement from competitive swimming upon returning to the U.S., where she is currently studying in Texas.
During her time in Paris, Luana stayed at the upscale Hotel Pastel, located near the Arc de Triomphe, and explored popular designer boutiques and museums. She delighted her followers with photos of her visit to the famed patisserie Ladurée, sharing images of their world-renowned macarons.
Luxury shopping was also on her itinerary, with visits to the Yves Saint Laurent flagship store on the Champs-Élysées and the Louis Vuitton headquarters. Additionally, Alonso was spotted enjoying the tennis action at Roland Garros, watching matches featuring tennis greats like Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, and Carlos Alcaraz.
Her Instagram captures also showcase her in front of iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Hôtel des Invalides museum, resting place of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
After finishing her heat, Luana announced her retirement from the sport without prior notice to Olympic officials. On her social media, she reflected, "It's official now! Swimming: thank you for allowing me to dream. You taught me to fight, to try, perseverance, sacrifice, discipline, and much more. I gave you part of my life, and I wouldn't change it for anything in the world because I had the best experiences, made friends from other countries that I will always carry in my heart, and had unique opportunities. It's not goodbye. It's 'see you soon.'"
Notably, Alonso was one of the youngest swimmers to compete at the Olympic level, having made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Tokyo Games. As the dust settles around her Olympic experience, many will be watching closely to see what this next chapter holds for Luana Alonso.
