Five-time Olympian found dead at just 50
Five-time Olympic cyclist Daniela Larreal Chirinos has been found dead in a Las Vegas apartment at the age of 50.
Chirinos, who represented Venezuela at five Olympic Games, was found after employees raised the alarm when she failed to show up for work.
While an official cause of death is yet to be released, Venezuelan media have speculated that she died of asphyxiation on August 11th after a preliminary autopsy found solid food remains in her trachea.
Larreal was the only Venezuelan athlete to ever compete in five Olympics, representing her country at Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, and London 2012.
Throughout her stellar cycling career, she won several gold medals at local and international events, and earned four Olympic diplomas, given to the top eight finalists in Olympic events.
Chairman of the Venezuelan Cycling Federation Eliezer Rojas paid tribute to Larreal, saying she was “not only a champion in cycling but a symbol of perseverance, dedication and passion”.
“With a career full of success, she inspired generations of cyclists and left a mark on every competition she participated in. Her legacy will endure in the history of Venezuelan cycling and her memory will live on in every pedal strike we take in her honour.”
“Her unexpected departure leaves an irreparable void in the hearts of all of us who had the honour of knowing her and following her career.”
Image credits: Martin Alipaz/EPA/Shutterstock Editorial