Glamorous viral Olympian Luana Alonso returns to training – despite retiring from swimming

Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso has recently made headlines after reportedly being removed from the Olympic village, following allegations of creating an ‘inappropriate atmosphere’ with her behavior.

During the two-week competition in Paris, Alonso, who gained attention on social media, did not advance to the semi-finals of her 100m butterfly event. However, her viral fame stemmed more from her swift departure from the French capital than her performance in the pool.

Reports suggest that team officials had concerns about Alonso’s conduct, including her tendency to distract her teammates, schedule personal outings away from the Olympic village, and wear outfits that deviated from the team’s uniforms.

In response to the situation, Alonso addressed the issue on social media, stating that while she did not wish to make a public statement, she would not let falsehoods affect her.

Since her return to social media, Alonso has posted a photo of herself back in training at the gym, tagging her athletic sponsor. This move indicated she was preparing for a return to competitive swimming. Despite this, Alonso announced her retirement from the sport shortly after the Games concluded.

Previously, Alonso competed at the collegiate level for Southern Methodist University and Virginia Tech. Reflecting on her swimming career, she expressed gratitude for the sport, noting its impact on her life and personal growth. In a recent post, Alonso described swimming as a source of valuable life lessons and experiences, emphasizing that her departure from the sport was not a final goodbye, but a temporary farewell.

The circumstances surrounding her exit from the Olympic village remain somewhat ambiguous. The Paraguay Olympic Committee stated that Alonso left voluntarily and was not excluded, but noted that her behavior had made other athletes and delegation members uncomfortable. A representative of the committee explained that Alonso’s decision to leave swimming led to a shift in her behavior, which was perceived as individualistic and disruptive to team dynamics.

In a more critical statement, Larissa Schaerer, head of the COP mission, highlighted that Alonso’s presence had created an ‘inappropriate atmosphere’ within Team Paraguay. Despite the differing accounts, the focus now shifts to Alonso’s future endeavors and her retirement from competitive swimming.