(DailyChive.com) – An Olympic cyclist representing the South American country of Venezuela who competed in several Olympic Games over the years died in her apartment in Las Vegas, Nevada, after choking on her food.
On Aug. 12, the lifeless body of 50-year-old Daniela Larreal Chirinos was discovered in her apartment. Her coworkers became concerned when Chirinos didn’t show up for work that day and nobody could reach her. They contacted authorities and the Las Vegas Police Department went to the cyclist’s residence for a wellness check and discovered she was dead.
Investigators believe Chirinos died the previous day, on Aug. 11. Although her cause of death wasn’t officially confirmed by police, it was listed as “asphyxiation.” It appears that she choked to death on her food while eating alone.
The cyclist competed in the Olympics five times between 1992 and 2004. She also competed and received medals in the Pan Am Games and the Central American Games.
In a tribute from the Venezuelan Olympic Committee, Chirinos was remembered for her “outstanding career.” The committee said she represented Venezuela “with honor” in the Olympic Games and brought “great pride” to her nation.
Aside from sports, Chirinos was also politically active and openly opposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. After receiving a physical education degree, she reportedly left her Homeland and moved to the US after receiving death threats for that opposition. Chirinos said the “disqualifications” against her did not affect her, that they only made her more “proud as a Venezuelan,” and that she would keep fighting.
Henrique Capriles, a leader in the anti-Maduro movement, paid tribute to the cyclist on social media. He said that “in addition to winning medals,” Chirinos “stood out” as the “only Venezuelan” to take part in five Olympic Games. Capriles said he joined “in the mourning” afflicting his nation and sent condolences to Chirinos’ family, friends, and former teammates throughout her career.
Following the third-term victory of Madura on July 28, a wave of opposition protests is currently sweeping Venezuela as supporters flood the city streets claiming their candidate was the true winner. Venezuelan electoral authorities maintain that Maduro won the election, gaining just under 52% of support from voters.
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