Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
Swimmer Thrown From Olympic Village Wanted To Represent USA: “Not A Pleasure To Represent Paraguay”
Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso, who found herself at the center of a storm at the Paris Olympics, openly expressed her desire to compete for the United States at the Olympic Games instead of her homeland.
The bold declaration was reportedly made during a social media live, according to a report released last month by Paraguayan outlet HOY.
Highlights
- Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso expressed a desire to compete for the USA instead of Paraguay.
- Her preference for the U.S. stems from her collegiate experience in America.
- She criticized the Paraguayan Olympic Committee's treatment of athletes and felt humiliated.
- Luana didn't qualify for the 100-meter semi-final and was later kicked out for "inappropriate behavior."
“I want to represent the United States more,” the 20-year-old swimmer allegedly said.
Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso reportedly said last month that she wanted to be a part of Team USA at the Paris Olympics
Image credits: Luana Alonso / Instagram
Image credits: Luana Alonso / Instagram
According to the HOY report, her preference for representing the U.S. stemmed from her collegiate experience in America.
Having attended Southern Methodist University and Virginia Tech, she seemingly developed a strong affinity toward the country. However, she was part of Team Paraguay when she landed in Paris for the Games.
Ahead of the ongoing Olympics, the youngster earned her spot in the women’s 100-meter butterfly through the universality system, which is aimed at enhancing the diversity of participating nations at the Olympics.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
In her video last month, she slammed the Paraguay Olympic Committee’s (COP) treatment of its athletes and claimed she would much rather represent the U.S.
“They threaten me that they are going to publish a statement, that I am going to leave because of universality, if I support my sport it is thanks to my sponsors, they want to humiliate me and say ‘it is not a big deal that you are leaving because of universality’ and like no Paraguayan woman has ever made a mark for the Olympic Games, and to tell me that and on top of that I am one second away is nothing,” she was quoted saying.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
“It’s not a pleasure to represent Paraguay and if it were up to me, I would go back to college,” she added.
As she competed for Team Paraguay, the young swimmer did not qualify for the 100-meter semi-final and eventually sparked controversy by being kicked out for her “inappropriate behavior.”
Camilo Perez, the president of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee, addressed Luana’s comments about wanting to be a part of Team USA.
“I read that she wants to compete for the United States,” Camilo said. “There is no universality there. She came here as a Paraguayan. She has to train a lot more to represent USA, her times have to be much better.”
Poll Question
Thanks! Check out the results:
Newsletter
Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
What do you think ?
Daggie_style 3 months ago
Judging by the pics, looks like she's more interest in drumming up traffic for social media. Based on the poses, she'll have OF account in a week (if she doesn't already).
Mariana Amaral 2 months ago (edited)
Lmaooo so basically you're not gonna use any common sense or basic interpretation of the situation itself and judge her by her pics? Tell me exactly how are her "poses" provocative? "She's pretty so she MUST be a whore" is basically what your dumbass is saying even tho she did nothing but take pics in swim suits like the SWIMMER she is. Lmao bro wanted her to wear a burqa in the pool just so his pp won't go up in front of his mom while watching the Olympics
Load More Replies...
LakotaWolf (she/her) 3 months ago
“According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), athletes must be citizens of the country they represent in the Olympics. However, Rule 41 of the Olympic Charter states that athletes with dual citizenship can choose which country to represent.“ So unless she’s also a U.S. citizen, she cannot represent the US. I guess she was angry at representing her country of origin, and she’s acted horribly and selfishly ever since she lost/didn't medal, it seems.
PFD 3 months ago
Going only from the post here, it sounds more like she's angry at basically being told she's a diversity hire who wouldn't be there if not for her sponsors. If the Paraguayan Olympic Committee really said the things she claims, I think that's not unreasonable. It's all a bit foggy though as with so many of the "scandals" in these Games. It's totally unclear what she's supposed to have done to create an "inappropriate atmosphere" but that's a pretty nasty accusation. Given the stories about bonking everywhere etc, the claim that it's because she wore skimpy clothing and went to Disneyland seems decidedly weird. Maybe she's been a toxic b***h, or maybe the Paraguayan Olympic Committee are a bunch of sexist bullies. Or maybe there's some individual who is. At this point it all seems equally plausible to me.
Load More Replies... Daggie_style 3 months ago
Judging by the pics, looks like she's more interest in drumming up traffic for social media. Based on the poses, she'll have OF account in a week (if she doesn't already).
Mariana Amaral 2 months ago (edited)
Lmaooo so basically you're not gonna use any common sense or basic interpretation of the situation itself and judge her by her pics? Tell me exactly how are her "poses" provocative? "She's pretty so she MUST be a whore" is basically what your dumbass is saying even tho she did nothing but take pics in swim suits like the SWIMMER she is. Lmao bro wanted her to wear a burqa in the pool just so his pp won't go up in front of his mom while watching the Olympics
Load More Replies... LakotaWolf (she/her) 3 months ago
“According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), athletes must be citizens of the country they represent in the Olympics. However, Rule 41 of the Olympic Charter states that athletes with dual citizenship can choose which country to represent.“ So unless she’s also a U.S. citizen, she cannot represent the US. I guess she was angry at representing her country of origin, and she’s acted horribly and selfishly ever since she lost/didn't medal, it seems.
PFD 3 months ago
Going only from the post here, it sounds more like she's angry at basically being told she's a diversity hire who wouldn't be there if not for her sponsors. If the Paraguayan Olympic Committee really said the things she claims, I think that's not unreasonable. It's all a bit foggy though as with so many of the "scandals" in these Games. It's totally unclear what she's supposed to have done to create an "inappropriate atmosphere" but that's a pretty nasty accusation. Given the stories about bonking everywhere etc, the claim that it's because she wore skimpy clothing and went to Disneyland seems decidedly weird. Maybe she's been a toxic b***h, or maybe the Paraguayan Olympic Committee are a bunch of sexist bullies. Or maybe there's some individual who is. At this point it all seems equally plausible to me.
Load More Replies... You May Like Imane Khelif Threatens Legal Action Against Journalist Who Published “Leaked” Medical Report "I'll Cancel My Plans": Ilona Maher Praised For Helping Salon Staff With Safety Concern “Life Happens”: Wife Left At The Airport After Husband Gets Her Birthday Wrong On Plane Ticket
Renan Duarte
Donata Leskauskaite
Donata Leskauskaite
Related on Bored Panda
13
6