Swimmer Luana Alonso responds to reports that she was kicked out of Olympics

UPDATE: After going viral yesterday for reportedly being 'banned' from the Olympic Village at Paris 2024, Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso has fired back at reports, calling them 'false information.'

On Instagram this morning Alonso addressed the rumors, saying (in Spanish) “I just wanted to make it clear that I was never removed or expelled from anywhere, stop spreading false information,” Alonso posted in her Instagram Stories.

“I don’t want to give any statement but I’m not going to let lies affect me either.”

Here's the post in question:

Read below for our earlier report on Alonso, published yesterday.

It's certainly been a memorable Olympic Games in Paris thus far. The Games have provided a number of viral moments, both positive and negative.

We've had controversial victories from Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, we had the most relaxed Olympian of all time in Turkish shooter Yusef Dikec and we had Canadian swimmer Tyler Mislawchuk upchucking after a dip in the Seine River. Again... these games have provided no shortage of viral moments. And this past weekend the Games served up another controversial moment.

Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso, 20, was effectively banned from the Oympic Village quarters for 'inappropriate behavior'. With Alonso's competitions all done and her chances at medalling at the Games over, Paraguayan officials claim that she caused controversy within the team's quarters. In particular, she's accused of neglecting to cheer on her teammates in favor of visiting Disneyland Paris each day... seriously.

“Her presence is creating an inappropriate atmosphere within Team Paraguay,” said Larissa Schaerer, the head of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee.

“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,” Schaerer added.

Almost immediately after she was removed from the team's Olympic Village quarters, Alonso announced her retirement from swimming.

As you might imagine, the young woman is using her 30 seconds of viral fame to gain some online clout. Her Instagram account has gained thousands of followers in the past few days. And frankly, it's easy to see why. She's got some... ahem... interesting content on her page.

Check it out: