Olympic Athlete Dies in Tragic Accident

The world of sports suffered a tragic blow with the passing of Daniela Larreal Chirinos, a renowned Olympic cyclist, after a tragic choking accident.

At a Glance

Daniela Larreal Chirinos, a five-time Olympian, was found dead at age 50 in her Las Vegas apartment.
The cause of death was choking on food (asphyxiation).
Larreal competed in five Olympic Games and won medals in several international competitions.
She was an outspoken critic of the Venezuelan government, leading to her exile.

Olympic Career and Achievements

Daniela Larreal Chirinos represented Venezuela at five Olympic Games from 1992 to 2012 in sprint cycling. Her best Olympic performance was 7th place in the Team Sprint final in London 2012. She also earned gold medals at the 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games, and silver medals at the 2003 Pan American Games. Her illustrious career marked her as one of Venezuela’s most accomplished cyclists.

Beyond her Olympic success, Larreal actively participated in Venezuelan politics and was a vocal critic of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. Her opposition to Maduro’s presidency led to her exile from Venezuela and a ban on her entry back to the country.

Former Olympic cyclist Daniela Larreal Chirinos found dead inside Las Vegas apartment days after choking on her food: report https://t.co/4VTribSyIP pic.twitter.com/UHMZMY1xiN

— New York Post (@nypost) August 19, 2024

Circumstances of Her Death

Daniela Larreal Chirinos had been deemed missing on August 12. She was found dead on August 16 in her Las Vegas apartment. The cause of her death was reported as choking on food, with police and medical examiners determining asphyxiation due to solid food remains in her windpipe.

After a period in Miami where she worked as an Uber driver, Larreal moved to Las Vegas and took a job as a food server. Despite the challenges she faced following her exile, she remained a beloved figure, with fans leaving condolences on her recent social media posts.

Legacy and Tribute

Venezuelan cycling fans and the international sports community have mourned her loss. The Venezuelan Olympic Committee praised her career, stating, “The COV Board of Directors regrets the departure of Daniela Larreal… With an outstanding career in track cycling, (she) managed to represent us with honour in five Olympic Games, accumulate four Olympic diplomas and triumphs that always filled us with great pride.”

Daniela Larreal Chirinos will be remembered for her remarkable contributions to the sport of cycling and her courageous stance against political oppression in her homeland.