Amid an apparent dispute with Paraguay’s Olympic Committee, swimmer Luana Alonso has reportedly expressed her desire to swim for the United States in the 2024 Olympics.
But for the 20-year-old SMU student, there were several obstacles preventing that dream from coming true.
“I want to represent the U.S. more,” Alsonzo said in a live social media video ahead of the Olympics, Paraguayan media reported. Reported by HOY.
But when it came time for her to perform for the Paraguayan team, she failed to deliver.
In the women’s 100m butterfly, Alonso qualified in 6th place with a time of 1 minute 3.09 seconds. She finished in 29th place overall, with only the top 16 swimmers advancing to the semifinals.
Meanwhile, two American swimmers, Tori Huske and Gretchen Walsh, represented the country.
Husk won Heat 3 with a time of 56.72 seconds. Walsh finished in Heat 4 with a time of 56.75 seconds, just 0.04 seconds behind Japan’s Mizuki Hirai.
In the final, Husk won the gold medal in 55.59 seconds, with Walsh taking the silver medal in 55.63 seconds.
There’s a difference of more than six seconds between the American’s worst time of 56.75 and Alonso’s only time.
The day after the performance, Alonso shockingly retired from swimming.
“It’s official!” Alonso wrote on Instagram.
“I’m retiring from swimming. I really appreciate all your support. I’m sorry to Paraguay, but I just want to say thank you!”
Even more bizarre, the announcement came shortly after she got the Olympic rings tattooed on her lower back.
HOY noted that Alonso wanted to swim for the U.S. in part because he attended college here, and the eligibility requirements are very different than in Paraguay.
2024 Paris Olympics
Alonso also claimed he wanted to represent the United States because he lacked “support” and “trust” from his Olympic teammates and higher-ups in Paraguay.
This all comes after reports that she was banned from the Olympic Village for “inappropriate” behaviour, which she denies.
In a recent statement, Larissa Scherer, president of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee, said Alonso’s presence was “creating an inappropriate atmosphere within the Paraguayan team.”
In one of the videos, reportedly posted on social media, Alonso slammed his home country.
“I wouldn’t enjoy playing for Paraguay and would go back to college if I could,” she said.
Alonso had a strong season at SMU.
She competed in the 100 and 200 butterfly at the NCAA Championships, earning all-conference honors in six events.
She was not listed on the Mustangs’ roster for the 2023-24 season.
