Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso has been asked to leave the Olympic Village in Paris due to what officials have described as “inappropriate behavior.” The 20-year-old, who was representing Paraguay in the 100m butterfly, became the center of controversy not for her performance in the pool but for her actions outside of it.
Alonso, a student at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, first competed in the Tokyo Olympics, where she placed 28th in the 100m butterfly. In the Paris Olympics, she participated in the same event but did not advance to the semifinals, finishing 6th in her heat. However, it was her conduct following her retirement announcement during the Paris Games that drew the ire of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee.
Reports indicate that Alonso’s behavior, which included leaving the Olympic Village to explore Paris and visit Disneyland, was deemed inappropriate by Paraguayan officials. She documented her visit to Disneyland Paris on Instagram, sharing photos of herself wearing Mickey Mouse ears and toasting with champagne, a legal activity for those over 18 in France. This, coupled with her choice of attire and social activities, led to criticism from her team.
Larissa Schaerer, the mission head of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee, stated that Alonso’s presence was creating an “inappropriate environment” for the team. Schaerer asked Alonso to leave the Olympic Village, a request Alonso complied with by checking into a hotel in Paris and continuing her tour of the city.
Paraguayan media reported that Alonso’s decision to prioritize sightseeing over supporting her teammates caused significant frustration among the country’s Olympic leadership. The situation was exacerbated by Alonso’s choice to wear “skimpy clothing” and engage in social activities with other athletes, which some saw as a distraction.
The incident has raised questions about the conduct and expectations of athletes in the Olympic Village. The 2024 Paris Games guidelines emphasize the importance of respecting the protected atmosphere and privacy of the Olympic Village. Athletes are not permitted to report on the activities of other residents without their consent and are forbidden from taking photos or recording audio or video in restricted areas.
The rules and regulations within the Olympic Village can vary depending on the host country and the specific guidelines set by individual teams. For instance, Team USA enforces a no-alcohol policy within the village to respect athletes who are still competing. However, athletes are generally allowed to leave the village to visit friends and family, with certain exceptions made for nursing athletes who can bring their infants.
Daniel Smith, Team USA’s Olympic Village Director, explained the need for specific guidelines to ensure a high-performance environment. He emphasized that while athletes are mostly adults and free to make their own decisions, the overarching focus remains on maintaining a conducive atmosphere for competition.