Swimmer accused of creating 'inappropriate atmosphere' at Paris Olympics speaks out her story. 'I'm not sorry'

Economic Times

06-06-2025

Paraguayan Olympic swimmer Luana Alonso has publicly denied claims that she was expelled from the Paris 2024 Olympic Village for creating an 'inappropriate atmosphere.' Accused of misconduct by the Paraguayan Olympic Committee—citing her dress style, socializing, and a Disneyland visit—Alonso clarified that she left the village voluntarily after deciding not to continue competing. She alleged that officials tried to take her accreditation without justification and dismissed the claims as false rumors.
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Alonso's Version: 'I Left On My Own'
Luana Alonso
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Controversy Over Conduct and Attire
Legal Threats and Future Uncertainty
Retirement, Online Career, and Possible Return
Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso has finally addressed the controversy surrounding her sudden exit from the Olympic Village during the 2024 Paris Games. The 21-year-old Olympian, who competed in the women's 100m butterfly but did not advance past the heats, has come forward with a strong rebuttal to claims made by Paraguayan officials that her behavior led to her removal.According to the Paraguayan Olympic Committee, Alonso's presence was said to be creating an 'inappropriate atmosphere' among her teammates. The committee cited her choice of clothing, which deviated from the official team uniform, her interactions with athletes from other delegations, and a visit to Disneyland Paris as contributing factors.In a detailed social media statement on her Instagram Stories, Alonso refuted the committee's claims and said she voluntarily left the Olympic Village. She emphasized that she was not expelled, but made the decision to leave after feeling disrespected by team officials. She alleged that after deciding not to compete further, the committee attempted to strip her of her accreditation without legitimate grounds.Alonso explained, 'Let me make this clear: I left the Olympic Village on my own.' She added that her decision not to swim was viewed as disruptive, and attempts were made to label her behavior as 'inappropriate' without any justifiable reason.The swimmer's activities outside competition, including a documented day trip to Disneyland Paris, sparked criticism from officials. Images circulated online showed Alonso posing with Mickey Mouse ears and a glass of champagne. Paraguayan Olympic Committee president Larissa Schaerer stated at the time to The Sun, 'Her presence is creating an inappropriate atmosphere within Team Paraguay.'Additionally, Alonso's appearance—specifically wearing form-fitting clothes and mingling with athletes—was cited as a distraction. However, Alonso believes the accusations were rooted in personal judgment rather than professional conduct. "Standing up for myself has always made me a "problem" in their eyes... I'm not sorry for that."Alonso has indicated she may pursue legal action against media outlets and organizations that reported she was expelled. She stated, 'I'm seriously considering legal action against the magazines and media outlets spreading false rumors… Well that it's not true.'She further added that being mistreated after years of dedication and record-setting performances led her to step back from swimming. 'If I had been treated with basic respect, maybe I wouldn't have stepped away,' she said.Following the incident, Alonso shifted her focus to creating content on subscription-based platforms and signaled her retirement from professional swimming. Despite this, she has left the door open for a return. Responding to a fan in May, she wrote, 'Next year I'm coming back… But I don't know if I will be back to competitive swimming.'The Paraguayan Olympic Committee has not issued any further responses to Alonso's latest statements, the controversy continues to draw attention in both national and international media. Alonso's future in competitive sports remains unclear, but she has taken a firm stance against the accusations.