ECNETNews, August 22, 2024: The Venezuelan Olympic Committee is mourning the unexpected passing of Daniela Larreal Chirinos, a celebrated five-time Olympic cyclist who represented Venezuela for over ten years.
Chirinos, who was 50 years old, was found deceased at her home in Las Vegas on August 15, following a welfare check requested by a concerned friend. According to local police, there is currently no involvement of homicide detectives in the investigation, and the Clark County coroner’s office is working to determine the cause of death, although reports suggest she may have choked on food.
The Venezuelan Olympic Committee took to social media to honor her exceptional career in track cycling, highlighting her Olympic achievements that brought significant pride to the nation.
Chirinos made her Olympic debut at the 1992 Barcelona Games and competed in five Summer Olympics, last participating in the 2012 London Games. She notably did not compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Born on October 2, 1973, in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Chirinos was inspired by her father, a cyclist who won a silver medal at the 1971 Pan American Games. Although she began her athletic journey as a swimmer and was the Venezuelan junior freestyle champion at 13, she switched to track cycling in 1989.
Chirinos balanced her athletic pursuits with academics, earning a degree in physical education in Venezuela and continuing her studies after relocating to the United States. While she received support from the Venezuelan government, she later disclosed challenges, such as squatters occupying the homes provided and the substandard quality of awarded vehicles.
Her relationship with the government shifted significantly over the years; she voiced strong criticism of Hugo Chávez’s administration in 2012, accusing it of mishandling funding for athletes. Following Chávez’s death, she became an outspoken critic of Nicolás Maduro’s regime, alleging corruption and mismanagement within sports funding and calling for accountability.
In 2016, amid death threats and government repression, Chirinos sought political asylum in the United States, where she became a vocal figure in the opposition. She was actively involved in political activism, supporting various opposition leaders and campaigning against the Venezuelan government even from exile. During her time in the U.S., she worked various jobs, including as a waiter in Las Vegas, while continuing to support her family in Venezuela despite hardships imposed by the regime.
