FLASHY swimmer Luana Alonso has hit out at her “North Korea” style punishment after Paraguay claimed to boot her out of the Olympics.
Alonso failed to progress past the women’s 100m butterfly heats and allegedly decided to spend a day out in Paris complete with a trip to Disneyland, infuriating team bosses.
Alonso’s Paris 2024 campaign has been marred by controversy[/caption] Her decision to visit Paris’ Disneyland sparked a bitter row[/caption] She has even been accused of wanting to represent the US at the Olympics[/caption]The 20-year-old Paraguayan was told to pack her bags after being accused of generating an “inappropriate atmosphere” in the athletes’ village.
Alonso took to X to air her grievances, suggesting any punishment would be ineffective given she retired from swimming after her Paris campaign.
She wrote: “Sanction of what? If I don’t swim anymore.”
An X user responded to her post, saying: “Not even in North Korea do they punish you for leaving after finishing competing.”
Alonso seemed to agree with that reply, giving it a retweet.
New pictures on Tuesday emerged of Alonso posing in front of the famous French Disney castle.
Paraguayan media reported she offended the country’s Olympic leadership by visiting a tourist hot spot over supporting her teammates.
It was also claimed she was “distracting” athletes in the village by wearing racy outfits over official team uniform.
A statement from Paraguayan team chief Larissa Schaerer said: “Her presence is creating an inappropriate atmosphere within Team Paraguay.
“We thank her for proceeding as instructed, as it was of her own free will that she did not spend the night in the Athletes’ Village.”
Alonso hit back, claiming she was never booted out.
In a social media post, she wrote: “I just wanted to clarify that I was never kicked out or expelled from anywhere, please stop spreading false information.
“I don’t want to make any statement but I’m not going to let lies affect me either.”
Alonso finished sixth in her swim heat, announcing her retirement soon after.
She told her on 310,000 Instagram followers: “It’s official now! I’m retiring from swimming, thank you all so much for the support.
“Sorry Paraguay, I only have to thank you!”
She claimed she made her decision “a long time ago”, denying rifts with team chiefs in Paris sparked the shock announcement.
Meanwhile, Paraguayan news outlet HOY reported she actually wanted to compete for the United States in Paris rather than her native nation.
Alonso attended college in Texas and Virginia, according to the New York Post.
It appears she popped open champagne outside Disneyland[/caption] She proudly waved the Paraguayan flag before the Games, but it was short-lived[/caption]