Five-time Olympic cyclist Daniela Larreal Chirinos passes away following a severe choking incident

By Janhavi Shinde

Modified Aug 20, 2024 06:57 GMT

Five-time Olympic cyclist Daniela Larreal Chirinos was recently found dead following a food-related choking incident in her apartment. Chirinos represented Venezuela in the 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2012 Olympic editions.

Chirinos was reportedly found deceased at her apartment in Los Angeles by police officers last Friday after the former Olympic cyclist's disappearance was noted. Notably, she hadn't shown up for work since August 12, 2024. According to Daily Mail UK, she worked as a waitress in a hotel in Los Angeles.

According to FOX Sports, the 50-year-old's death was discovered to be asphyxiation caused by solid food remains found in her trachea. The five-time Olympian is believed to have passed away on August 11, 2024. Although she was reported to have passed away by asphyxiation, the cause of her death is yet to be confirmed officially by the police.

Venezuelan Olympic Committee (COV) announced the passing of the cyclist with the fans on social media and wrote,

"The COV Board of Directors regrets the departure of Daniela Larreal."

"With an outstanding career in track cycling, she managed to represent us with honor in five Olympic Games, accumulate four Olympic diplomas and triumphs that always filled us with great pride.

Chirinos was a prominent figure in Venezuela's cycling sphere. She was awarded four Olympic diplomas for finishing in first to eighth place in four editions.

A look at Daniela Larreal Chirinos' Olympic performances

Daniela Larreal Chirinos competed in the individual sprint track cycling event in five editions of the Olympic Games. During the 1992 and 1996 Olympic editions in Barcelona and Atlanta, respectively, she couldn't make it past the 2nd Repechage Heat 2 round.

At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, the Venezuelan concluded her campaign by settling in eighth place in the individual sprint event and 10th place in the track time trial. Four Summers later at the Athen's Olympic edition, she was again placed in eighth place in the individual sprint event.

Daniela Larreal Chirinos returned to the Olympics after eight years at the 2012 London Olympics and competed in multiple events. Although she had to settle in the 16th place in the women's individual sprint, the Venezuelan cyclist along with her teammate Mariaesthela Vilera bagged seventh place in the team sprint and eighth in the Kerin event.

Deeply inspired by her father, Daniela Larreal Chirinos commenced her cycling career as a young kid and went on to become her nation's principal cyclist.