Luana Alonso At the 2024 Paris Olympics, attention will be focused on more than just swimming skills.
News broke on Monday, August 5, that the 20-year-old Paraguayan athlete had been kicked out of the Olympic Village for “creating an inappropriate atmosphere,” according to Larissa Scherer, president of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee.
“It was of her own free will that she not spend the night in the athletes’ village and we thank her for following instructions,” Schaller said in a statement to The Sun. (Alonso was reportedly asked to move to a hotel.)
Subsequent reports alleged that Alonso was inappropriately dressed while in the Olympic Village and not wearing official team gear, and she was also criticised for visiting Disneyland in Paris during the Olympics.
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Alonso has since disputed the claim that she has left the Olympic Village (she is back in the United States, where she is living as a student).
“I wanted to make it clear that I have never been excluded or expelled anywhere,” Alonso shared on his Instagram Story on Monday, slamming the “misinformation” being spread. “I have nothing to say, but I’m not going to be swayed by lies either.”
Keep scrolling to find out everything you need to know about Alonso.
1. She is a university student.
The 20-year-old athlete returned to the United States after competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics and is currently attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Prior to joining the university’s women’s swimming and diving team, Alonso spent one semester at Virginia Tech.
2. Olympic success
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Alonso finished sixth in the women’s 100m butterfly on July 27. She failed to advance to the semifinals and was eliminated from the tournament.
Alonso also competed in the same event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but finished 28th and failed to advance to the semifinals.
3. She has a symbolic tattoo
Like many Olympians, Alonso got an Olympic rings tattoo to celebrate her time competing in the Olympics. In July 2022, she showed off the tattoo on her right hip in an Instagram post.
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“I joined the Olympic Rings Tattoo Club,” the athlete captioned the post.
4. Work a side job as an influencer
Outside of his swimming career, Alonso is also an influential figure on Instagram, where he has partnered with fast food chain Mostaza Paraguay and has made numerous posts to promote the brand.
5. She is officially retired.
Alonso has announced his retirement from swimming after competing in the 2024 Olympic Games.
“I am officially retired! Retiring from swimming. Thank you so much to everyone who supported me! Sorry Paraguay,” she captioned the Instagram post on July 27. “I can only be grateful!”
