Luana Alonso has announced her retirement from swimming at the age of 20 after she was eliminated in the heats at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The 20-year-old, who holds multiple Paraguayan records in the butterfly discipline, featured in the first heat of the women’s 100m butterfly on Saturday.
But after finishing in sixth place – just 0.24 seconds behind Georgia's Ana Nizharadze – a devastated Alonso narrowly missed out on qualifying for the semi-final stage.
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After leaving the pool, she took part in an incredibly emotional interview with South American broadcaster Claro Sports.
The Paraguayan, who is currently studying at a college in the United States, not only confirmed her retirement from swimming but apologised to her country.
“I am very emotional because it was my last race, I am retiring from swimming,” Alonso said.
“I have been swimming for so long, 18 years, and I have so many feelings. Unfortunately, I made the decision to stop and I am happy that my last race will be at the Olympic Games.
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“It didn’t happen the way I wanted it to. I sincerely apologise to Paraguay, but I did what I could, despite several things that happened to me before. So, I’m happy and also to retire here with a full stadium and finally have the Olympic Games.”
Alonso would later reveal that she will now concentrate on her studies. “I’m going to go to study in the United States, to continue with my career in Political Science,” she added.
“And, why not, to be a minister of the court one day because, as an athlete, I know what all athletes suffer and I want to help them promote sport."
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Taking to X after the 100m race in Paris, the 20-year-old received widespread criticism for retiring but the decision was made a long time ago, according to Alonso.
"It wasn’t because of the games," she added. "I just have to thank everyone who always supported me."
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She also retweeted a number of supportive messages from fans.
One read: "At 16 she went to his first Olympics, and at 20 she went to her second. She achieved more than many here and they criticise her for ‘retiring’. Are you criticised for what you do in life? Live and let live."
Another said: "It makes me laugh at the people who are offended because Luana Alonso retires. With the ‘support’ of the public … who is going to want to continue? This country takes away your desire for everything. On top of that, those who criticise do not play."
A third added: “I don’t understand why they criticise Luana Alonso so much and giving her opinions and giving her bad vibes, she was saying that this was her last competition, each person is different, decisions must be respected. Very easy to hide behind the keyboard to criticise someone who works."
Jack Kenmare