Discover Luana Alonso’s journey from debuting at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics aged 17 to being banned at the 2024 Paris Olympics village.
Luana Alonso is a retired Paraguayan Olympic swimmer whose career was marked by both significant achievements and unexpected controversy.
Despite her talent, Luana Alonso’s journey was not without challenges, culminating in a controversial final Olympic appearance that sparked debates within the sporting community.
Pulse Sports looks at her early life, swimming career, Olympic controversy and more delving into the highs and lows of Luana Alonso’s time in competitive swimming.
Luana Alonso: The rise, Olympic journey & controversial exit
Early life
Luana Alonso, born on March 19, 2004, in Paraguay, was a trailblazer in Paraguayan swimming.
Luana Maria Alonso of Paraguay competes in 100m women’s butterfly during Junior Pan American Games in Cali at Hernando Botero O Byrne Swimming Pools in Cali, Colombia, 27 November 2021.
Specializing in butterfly events, she quickly rose to prominence, representing her country on the world’s biggest stage.
Swimming Career
Her dedication to the sport began at a young age, and by the time she reached the Olympic level, she had solidified herself as one of Paraguay’s most promising athletes.
Standing 170 cm tall and weighing 60 kg, Alonso was a fierce competitor in the pool.
Olympic appearances and controversy
Alonso first competed at the Olympics during the 2020 Tokyo Games, where she swam in the women’s 100-meter butterfly event, finishing sixth in her heat.
Her talent made her a key figure in Paraguay’s Olympic delegation, earning her a place in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
However, her time in Paris was marred by controversy. Alonso was removed from her official accommodations in the Olympic Village after being accused of creating an “inappropriate atmosphere.”
The Paraguayan Olympic Committee’s General Manager, Larissa Schaerer, stated that her presence was negatively affecting the team.
Although Alonso’s departure was reported as voluntary, the incident sparked discussions about the dynamics within the Paraguayan Olympic delegation.
Retirement from swimming
Following the controversy at the Paris Olympics, Alonso took to Instagram to announce her retirement from competitive swimming.
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Luana Maria Alonso. IMAGE/ UsWeekly
In an emotional message, she reflected on her journey, stating, “I am very emotional because it was my last race. I am retiring from swimming. I have been swimming for 18 years and have so many emotions.”
Her decision to retire at the young age of 20 surprised many in the sporting world, but it marked the end of an impressive career that saw her compete at the highest level.
Social media influence
Beyond her achievements in the pool, Alonso has cultivated a massive following on social media. With over 1.1 million Instagram followers, she has leveraged her platform to engage with fans.
