PARIS, France — Two-time Paraguayan Olympian and former SMU swimmer Luana Alonso has responded to reports of her being removed from the Olympic Village in Paris for "creating an inappropriate environment."
Alonso, who swam for the Mustangs in 2023, competed in the Women's 100-meter Butterfly prelims on July 27 and finished with a time of 1:03.09, which was not enough to qualify for the semi-final.
Following this finish, Alonso posted on her Instagram that she would be retiring from swimming.
"It's official now! I'm retiring from swimming, thank you all so much for the support! Sorry Paraguay. I only have to thank you," Alonso's post read.
However, several media outlets allege this isn't where the swimmer's time in the Olympic Village ended.
A statement reportedly given by the head of Paraguay's Olympic Committee, Larissa Schaerer, stated that Alonso "created an inappropriate atmosphere" within Team Paraguay. The reported statement indicates that she didn't spend the night in the Olympic Village on her own accord.
Media outlets claim Alonso spent time out and about in Paris, even alleging the swimmer went to Disneyland instead of staying around to support her teammates. These alleged actions are what reportedly upset Paraguay's Olympic Committee.
In response to these claims, the Paraguayan swimmer posted an Instagram story Monday of her watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee. The message included in the post stated the following:
"I just wanted to clarify that they never took me out or expelled me from anywhere, stop spreading false information. I don't want to give any statement but I'm not going to let lies affect me either."
WFAA reached out to SMU for a statement and they confirmed that Alonso is not swimming for the Mustangs this year.
So, while it's unclear what exactly went down at the Olympic Village to spark these claims, Alonso appears to be ready to move on from it and prepare for the next chapter in her life.
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