Las Vegas, Aug 23: Daniela Larreal Chirinos, a five-time Olympic cyclist who competed for Venezuela over the course of a decade, has died. She was 51.
Larreal was found dead at home in Las Vegas the afternoon of Aug. 15 after a friend called police for a welfare check, according to a police report.
The friend told officers he had not heard from Larreal for several days, which was out of character for her.
Further details weren’t immediately available, but Luis Vidal, a police department spokesperson, said homicide detectives were not called to investigate.
The Clark County coroner’s office said it was still working to determine the cause and manner of her death.
The Venezuelan Olympic Committee confirmed Larreal’s death in a statement in Spanish on the social platform X, saying it was saddened by the loss of an athlete “with an outstanding career in track cycling” and whose accomplishments at the Games “filled us with much pride.”
Larreal competed in five Olympics, beginning with 1992 in Barcelona through London 2012. She was not at the 2008 Games in Beijing.
Her death comes on the heels of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In closing, the cycling world and the Venezuelan sports community mourn the loss of Daniela Larreal Chirinos, whose remarkable career left an indelible mark on the Olympic stage.
Her dedication and achievements over five Games are a testament to her extraordinary talent and perseverance.
As investigations into her untimely death continue, tributes from fans and fellow athletes highlight the profound impact she had both on and off the track.
Larreal’s legacy will endure as a source of inspiration and pride for many. (AP)
