Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso might have had too much fun during the Paris Olympics, leading to her being asked to leave the Olympic Village for creating an inappropriate environment.
The controversy reportedly stemmed from a trip to Disneyland that angered Paraguayan Olympic officials and her choice of wearing skimpy outfits instead of team clothing.
The 20-year-old swimmer documented her visit to Disneyland Paris with photos on Instagram after she failed to advance out of her heat and into the women’s 100m butterfly semifinals on July 27.
Alonso shared snapshots of herself wearing Mickey Mouse ears in front of the castle at Disneyland Park and toasting with champagne flutes, as the drinking age in France is 18. These photos were posted to a highlight on her Instagram account on July 29.
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Paraguayan media reported that Alonso’s decision to visit a tourist destination instead of supporting her teammates upset the country’s Olympic leadership. Additionally, The Daily Mail reported that Alonso was a distraction to other competitors due to her “skimpy clothing and socializing with other athletes.”
After being asked to leave the Olympic Village, Alonso checked into a hotel in Paris and visited high-end stores and restaurants, according to reports. Larissa Schaerer, the head of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee, stated, “Her presence is creating an inappropriate atmosphere within Team Paraguay.” Schaerer added that Alonso complied with the instructions of her own free will.
Although Alonso had been staying in the Olympic Village despite not qualifying in her event, which is allowed, she was ultimately asked to leave.
She subsequently announced her retirement from the sport on social media after her race.
On Monday, Alonso appeared to be back in the U.S., posting a photo of an American flag to her Instagram Story. “Pony up,” she wrote with a peace sign emoji over another snapshot of a statue of horses.
Alonso has yet to directly address the situation, leaving many details unclear. The Olympic Village, spanning parts of Saint-Denis, Saint Ouen, and L’Île-Saint-Denis, accommodates 14,250 athletes and follows specific rules and guidelines that vary depending on the host country and individual teams.
Athletes are also required to adhere to social media guidelines at the Paris Olympics.
