In a shocking turn of events, the world of sports has been left mourning the untimely death of five-time Olympic cyclist Daniela Larreal Chirinos. The Venezuelan athlete, known for her remarkable achievements in the world of cycling, was found dead in her Las Vegas apartment on August 16th, 2024, at the young age of 51.

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According to the authorities, Chirinos’ manner of death was determined to be “asphyxiation caused by solid food remains found in her trachea.” The Clark County Office of the Coroner has not yet officially released the cause and manner of her death, but the preliminary findings suggest that the renowned cyclist tragically choked on her own meal.

Daniela Larreal Chirinos was a trailblazer in the world of Venezuelan cycling, with a career that spanned five Olympic Games. Her first appearance was at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, followed by stints in Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), Athens (2004), and her final Olympic appearance in London in 2012.

Despite the challenges and obstacles she faced, Chirinos always managed to rise to the occasion, putting Venezuela on the map in the international cycling community. Her best Olympic finish came in 2012, where she placed seventh in the team sprint finals, a testament to her unwavering dedication and skill.

Chirinos’ success was not limited to the Olympic stage. She was a two-time gold medalist in the Pan American Games and the Pan American Championships, as well as a four-time silver medalist at the Pan American Games. Additionally, she won three golds and a silver at the 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Off the bike, Chirinos had a degree in Physical Education and was also involved in political activities in her home country, Venezuela, before ultimately deciding to move to the United States.

The news of Chirinos’ passing has sent shockwaves throughout the cycling community, with fans and admirers expressing their grief and disbelief on social media. According to reports, Chirinos had not shown up for work at her hotel job in Las Vegas since August 12th, prompting her coworkers to contact the authorities.