Daniela Larreal Chirinos, a Venezuelan cyclist who competed in five Olympic Games, was discovered dead in her Las Vegas, Nevada apartment on August 16, 2024. Reports suggest she died after choking on her food.
Chirinos, who was 50 years old, had an illustrious career in cycling, representing Venezuela in the Olympic Games from 1992 to 2012. After her retirement, she relocated to Las Vegas and worked as a waitress at a local hotel.
She was last seen alive on August 11, 2024. When she failed to report for work the next day, and the rest of the week, her colleagues raised concerns. This led to the discovery of her body on August 16 by authorities. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, along with the Clark County Coroner’s Office, determined that her death was caused by asphyxiation due to choking on food.
An initial autopsy report revealed “solid food remains were found in her trachea,” a statement that authorities confirmed to various media outlets. The exact circumstances and manner of her death are still being investigated, but the preliminary results point to an accidental choking incident.
Throughout her career, Larreal Chirinos distinguished herself as one of Venezuela’s most accomplished athletes, having competed in five Olympic Games. Her best Olympic performance was in 2012 when she secured seventh place in the team sprint finals in London. Apart from the Olympics, she earned numerous medals in other global competitions, including two gold medals at the Pan American Games and the Pan American Championships, cementing her legacy in track cycling.
The Venezuelan Olympic Committee expressed their sorrow over her death, underscoring the significant impact Larreal Chirinos made on Venezuelan sports. Their statement noted, “Her great career and multiple triumphs always filled us with great pride.” Her death has left a profound gap in Venezuela and the wider cycling world.
Aside from her sporting accomplishments, Larreal Chirinos was also known for her outspoken political views. After criticizing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro’s regime, she faced death threats, leading her to seek refuge in the United States. Despite the adversity she experienced, she remained a prominent figure in both the sporting and political arenas.
As the investigations into her death continue, her loved ones and the cycling community remember her as more than just a champion cyclist but also a determined individual. Venezuelan opposition figure Henrique Capriles expressed his grief, describing Larreal Chirinos as “a symbol of perseverance, dedication, and passion.”
