Luana Alonso was kicked out of Paris 2024 Olympic Village for 'alleged disruption'.
Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso has been banned from her official Olympic accommodations after being accused of creating an "inappropriate atmosphere."
Luana Alonso: Paraguayan swimmer banned from Olympics village in Paris 2024
Alonso, who was housed in the Paris village with other Olympic athletes, was removed on Sunday following a statement from Larissa Schaerer, General Manager of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee.
Schaerer stated that Alonso's presence was having a negative impact on her team.
"Her presence is creating an inappropriate atmosphere within Team Paraguay," Schaerer said.
Alonso requested to leave the village, and Schaerer confirmed that her departure was voluntary.
"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," Schaerer added.
Prior to her exit, Alonso, who also competed in the Tokyo Games, posted an emotional message on social media announcing her retirement from swimming.
"I am very emotional because it was my last race. I am retiring from swimming. I have been swimming for 18 years and have so many emotions," Alonso wrote.
Despite her retirement, Alonso initially stayed in Paris after her disappointing performance, where she finished 6th in the 100m butterfly and did not advance to the semi-finals.
The 20-year-old swimmer later returned to her accommodations, but Schaerer instructed her to leave once more.
Luana Alonso reacts following Olympics exit misunderstanding
In her social media farewell, Alonso expressed deep gratitude and reflective sentiments on her Instagram page with over 668,000 followers.
"Swimming: thank you for allowing me to dream, you taught me to fight, to try, perseverance, sacrifice, discipline and many more.
"I gave you part of my life and I don't change it for anything in the world because I lived the best experiences of my life," she wrote.
She also also apologized for her performance, noting, "It didn't happen the way I wanted it to. I sincerely apologize to Paraguay, but I did what I could, despite several things that happened to me before."
Alonso's brief return to Paris and subsequent exit has already seen her make her way back to the United States, going by her recent posts on Instagram.
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