Five-time Olympic cyclist dies of suffocation after being strangled by food
Aug 20, 2024
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According to foreign media such as Fox News and the Daily Mail, Chirinos was found dead in his Las Vegas apartment on the 16th (local time).
Earlier, colleagues reported her missing on the 12th when she did not go to work at the hotel. Police determined that he died on the night of the 11th.
Although no official cause of death has been announced, the cause seems to be the food blocking the airway.
A police official told local media that "an autopsy found solid food debris in her airways" and that "it is presumed to have suffocated due to this"."
Following the news of the death, the Venezuelan Olympic Committee posted a tribute to Chirinos on social media.
The Commission said "Having a distinguished career on the cycling track, she has been honored to represent us in five Olympics, giving us great pride." he said.
Chirinos competed in speed cycling events at five Olympics - Barcelona in 1992, Atlanta in 1996, Sydney in 2000, Athens in 2004 and London in 2012 - and was a leading figure in the Venezuelan cycle from 1990 to 2012.
Her highest ranking at the Olympics is 7th place in the 2012 Team Sprint final in London. She also won the Pan American Games and the Pan American Championship.
After defecting to the United States in 2016 due to political problems in Venezuela, she worked as an Uber driver in Miami and recently worked at a hotel in Las Vegas.
bellho@sportschosun.com
