Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso faced scrutiny during the Paris Olympics after her actions reportedly led to her departure from the Olympic Village. The 20-year-old athlete allegedly created an inappropriate atmosphere, which was linked to her visit to Disneyland Paris, a decision that displeased Paraguayan Olympic officials, along with her choice of attire that was considered inappropriate.
After failing to advance in the women’s 100m butterfly semifinals on July 27, Alonso shared photos from her Disneyland visit on Instagram. The images included her wearing Mickey Mouse ears and toasting with champagne flutes. The legal drinking age in France is 18, but her excursion was criticized as she prioritized a tourist trip over supporting her teammates.
Alonso’s actions were described by Paraguayan media as a distraction, with reports suggesting that her attire and social interactions with other athletes were disruptive to the competitive environment. Following her removal from the Olympic Village, she checked into a hotel in Paris and visited upscale shops and restaurants.
Larissa Schaerer, head of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee, stated that Alonso’s presence was deemed inappropriate and acknowledged her decision to comply with the request to leave. Despite being permitted to stay in the Olympic Village since she had not qualified for her event, Alonso took to social media to announce her retirement from swimming.
On July 29, after her departure from the Olympic Village, Alonso appeared to be back in the United States, sharing a photo of an American flag on her Instagram Story and captioning it with “Pony up,” accompanied by a peace sign emoji.
The situation sheds light on the various regulations athletes must adhere to while in the Olympic Village, which spans across several cities and houses thousands of competitors. Each team is expected to maintain its own guidelines while respecting the overall environment designated for athletes.