Daniela Larreal
Daniela Greluis Larreal Chirinos (2 October 1972 – c.11 August 2024)[1][4] was a Venezuelan track cyclist — a five-time Olympian considered one of Venezuela's most important sportspeople and the leading Venezuelan cyclist for over two decades[5][6][7][8] — and political exile.
Early and personal life
Daniela Greluis Larreal Chirinos was born on 2 October 1972[1] in Maracaibo, the daughter of cyclist Daniel Larreal.[9] Her father introduced her to cycling,[10] which she began at a young age, always being fast on the track.[11] In Venezuela, she completed a degree in physical education,[12] having studied alongside her career.[13] When she moved to the United States, she started a two-year course for the equivalent qualification.[14]
Like other successful athletes, the Venezuelan regime awarded Larreal with a house and car; after leaving the country, Larreal revealed to Spanish media that such houses were being invaded by squatters due to the crisis in Venezuela, and the cars were cheap models made in China that she could cycle faster than.[15]
Career
Larreal's first championship was the 1990 Central American and Caribbean Games, where she won a silver medal.[9]
She competed at five different Olympic Games, representing Venezuela at the 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2012 Summer Olympics.[16][17] Among Venezuelan athletes, this feat has since been matched by Fabiola Ramos (1996 through 2012) and Rubén Limardo (2008 through 2024).[18] Larreal earned four Olympic diplomas for her results.[16]
She was the first holder of the Olympic record for women's track time trial, with a time of 35.728 in 2000; she ultimately finished tenth, with four other cyclists achieving a new Olympic record in the event.[19]
In January 2003, Larreal began focused training for the 2004 Olympics at a centre in Switzerland. During the classification race for fifth through eighth places of the sprint competition at the 2004 Olympics, Larreal finished behind race winner Natallia Tsylinskaya of Belarus but was also judged to have cycled within the inner lane and impeded Tsylinskaya. Larreal was disqualified and handed automatic eighth place as bottom of the athletes who made it to the quarterfinals.[20][2] Larreal said the decision was unjust as she did not enter the lane intentionally but had been forced into it to avoid other cyclists. She also reflected that she was proud to be one of the eight best in the world, especially against cyclists with better resources.[2]
At the 2004 Games, she said that she would not aim for the 2008 Summer Olympics, saying that as she was already 30 years old she probably only had a year or two of competitive cycling ahead.[2]
She did not go to the 2008 Games, but did compete in 2012. She said she would retire after the 2012 Games, choosing the Olympics as a stage "to say goodbye to the track."[21] A sprint cyclist,[17][22][23] she also competed in the keirin in 2012.[24][25] She finished last in her race of the second round of the keirin, not qualifying for the final, and then came third in the classification race for seventh through twelfth places, originally coming ninth overall.[21] In 2016, the Russian cyclist who came eighth was retroactively disqualified for doping,[26] with eighth place and the Olympic diploma reallocated to Larreal in 2020.[27] The 2012 Games was the first time the Olympic women's team sprint was contested; Larreal and Mariaesthela Vilera won the first heat in a time of 34.320, meaning they briefly and unofficially held the Olympic record in women's team sprint. The pair ultimately placed seventh.[28]
Larreal was preparing to compete at the 2016 Summer Olympics when the Venezuelan Cycling Federation, which was run by the government and which she had criticised for not giving athletes their assigned funding, refused to register her at qualifying events. She then complained about this, which led to threats from officials and the Federation trying to confiscate her passport. On one occasion, when she was driving to visit her father, two trucks tried to force her off the road before she evaded them — her father then told her she had to leave the country.[14]
Political activism, later life and death
Larreal first criticised the Venezuelan government in 2012, under Hugo Chávez and then-Minister for Sports Héctor Rodríguez, for irregularities in state funding of sports — at this point, specifically accusing them of sponsoring a motor sport athlete who did not exist in order to take foreign currency out of Venezuela.[14] She had previously praised Chávez for heavily funding and promoting sports in Venezuela in his early years as president.[2]
After the death of Hugo Chávez in 2013, with Nicolás Maduro inheriting the leadership of Venezuela, Larreal further accused the Ministry of Sports of widespread corruption,[29] saying Maduro treated the department as a source of petty cash[14] and that various officials were implicated in corruption when allocating resources.[15] She was a vocal critic of the presidency of Nicolás Maduro,[16] which she called a dictatorship,[12] and became an activist for democracy.[29] She joined political party Popular Will in 2016.[30]
Her political activism saw Larreal receive death threats in Venezuela and she was forced into exile and banned from entering Venezuela in 2016,[31] seeking political asylum in the United States.[32][12] At this point, chavista media in Venezuela tried to villainise her, saying that she had used $2 million of sports funding to open two companies in the United States; she had no companies and worked menial jobs.[15] Larreal also stated that the Ministry of Sports had forced other cyclists to formally denounce her,[13][14] but that her teammates had privately supported her.[14] In the United States, Larreal continued promoting opposition to Maduro.[29] She joined the Vente Venezuela political party in 2018,[11] with other Venezuelan athletes Borman Angulo and Freiber Zerpa.[33] She was still associated with Vente Venezuela at the time of her death, supporting María Corina Machado[12][16] and posting on social media about the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election and 2024 Venezuelan protests.[29]
Larreal lived in Miami in 2016, where she drove an Uber, using what she earned to fund her education and send medicine and food packages to her sick father, though these were often confiscated by the Venezuelan regime.[15][14] She later worked at a hotel in Las Vegas,[16] with Fox Sports reporting she was a waitress there.[34]
On 12 August 2024, she was declared missing after failing to turn up for work; several days later, she was found dead at her apartment in Las Vegas.[16] A preliminary autopsy said she died of asphyxia after choking on food on 11 August 2024,[4][35] though "the cause and method" of her death were still being investigated by the the Clark County Medical Examiner as of 20 August.[3]
The 2024 Vuelta a España began on 17 August 2024, with Colombian former cyclist Víctor Hugo Peña presenting the tour for ESPN and giving a tribute to Larreal at its opening.[36] France 24 sports journalist Juan José Sayago posted on X (Twitter) that there would likely be a tribute held to Larreal at the Teo Capriles Velodrome [es] in Caracas.[37]
Major results
- 1990
- 1990 Central American and Caribbean Games
- 2nd
? [6][12]
- 2nd
- 1992
- 1992 Summer Olympics
- Individual Sprint, 2nd Repechage Heat 2[38]
- 1996
- 1996 Summer Olympics
- Individual Sprint, 2nd Repechage Heat 2[38]
- 15th Points Race[38]
- 1997
- Track Cycling World Cup Classics
- 3rd
500m time trial, Round 1, Cali[39]
- 3rd
Points race, Round 3, Fiorenzuola
- 2nd
500m time trial, Round 4, Quartu Sant'Elena
- 3rd
- 1999
- 3rd
Venezuelan National Road Race Championships, Road Race[40]
- 2000
- 2000 Summer Olympics
- 8th Individual Sprint[38]
- 10th Track Time Trial[38]
- 2001
- 3rd
Venezuelan National Road Race Championships, Road Race
- 2002
- Track Cycling World Cup Classics
- 3rd
Keirin, Round 4, Cali[41]
- 3rd
- 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games [12][6]
- 1st
?
- 1st
?
- 2nd
?
- 1st
- 2003
- Pan American Games
- 2nd
Sprint[42]
- 2nd
Keirin[43]
- 2nd
- Track Cycling World Cup Classics
- 1st
Keirin, Round 3, Cape Town[44]
- 1st
Sprint, final individual ranking[45]
- 3rd
Keirin, final individual ranking[45]
- 1st
- 2004
- 2004 Summer Olympics
- 8th Individual Sprint[38]
- Track Cycling World Cup Classics
- 3rd
Keirin, Round 3, Manchester
- 3rd
- 2005
- Pan American Championships
- 1st
Keirin
- 1st
- 2007
- Track Cycling World Cup Classics
- 1st
Keirin, Round 3, Los Angeles
- 1st
- 2010
- Central American and Caribbean Games
- 1st
Sprint
- 1st
500m time trial
- 1st
Team sprint (with Angie González)
- 1st
Keirin
- 1st
- 2011
- Pan American Games
- 1st
Keirin[46]
- 1st
Team sprint (with Mariaesthela Vilera)[47]
- 2nd
Sprint[48]
- 1st
- Pan American Road and Track Championships
- 1st
Team sprint (with Mariaesthela Vilera)
- 1st
- 2012
- 2012 Summer Olympics
- 7th Team Sprint (with Mariaesthela Vilera)[38]
- 8th Keirin[38]
- 16th Individual Sprint[38]
- Track Cycling World Cup
- 3rd
Keirin, Round 3, Beijing
- 3rd
- Pan American Road and Track Championships
- 1st
Team Sprint (with Mariaesthela Vilera)
- 1st
- 2014
- South American Games
- 1st
Sprint
- 1st
Team Sprint (with Mariaesthela Vilera)
- 2nd
Keirin
- 1st
- Pan American Track Championships
- 2nd
Team Sprint (with Mariaesthela Vilera)
- 3rd
Keirin
- 3rd
Sprint
- 2nd
- Central American and Caribbean Games
- 2nd
Keirin
- 3rd
Team Sprint (with Marines Chiquinquira Parda Rodriguez)
- 2nd
Notes
References
- ^ a b c "Athlete profile: Larreal, Daniela Grelui". London2012.com. Archived from the original on 31 October 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Rojas, Enrique (23 August 2004). "Atenas: Venezolana Daniela Larreal descalificada en sprint 200". Laredo Morning Times.
- ^ a b "Five-time Olympic cyclist choked on food at Vegas apartment days before body found". The Independent. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Fallece en Las Vegas ciclista olímpica de Venezuela". Diario Las Americas (in Spanish). 16 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ Sosa, David (9 March 2023). "Daniela Larreal: un emblema del ciclismo venezolano". La Guía de Caracas (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ a b c "Olympian found dead in flat after serial medal winner 'choked on food'". Yahoo News. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ Falleció Daniela Larreal, una de las deportistas más importantes de Venezuela. El Espectador (in Spanish). 16 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Muere la venezolana Daniela Larreal, cinco veces olímpica, a los 50 años". MARCA (in Spanish). 17 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ a b Viloria, Eili Aranza Devia (16 August 2024). "¿Quién era Daniela Larreal, ciclista venezolana hallada muerta en EEUU?". Diario 2001 (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Muere Daniela Larreal, la atleta olímpica de Venezuela que denunció la dictadura de Maduro". www.antena3.com (in Spanish). 17 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Mor Daniela Larreal, llegenda olímpica veneçolana contrària a Maduro i que vivia exiliada". ElNacional.cat (in Catalan). 18 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Blanco, Andrea (19 August 2024). "Exiled Olympic cyclist found dead had choked on food days earlier". The Times. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Daniela Larreal, la ciclista que denunció la corrupción en el deporte". EL NACIONAL (in Spanish). 18 October 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Hernandez, Leon (24 December 2016). "venezolana: Ministerio del Deporte fue caja chica para funcionarios de Maduro". El Nuevo Herald (in Spanish).
- ^ a b c d "Daniela Larreal, la exatleta olímpica que cambió la bicicleta por un Uber". Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 19 December 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f McMurty, Andrew (19 August 2024). "Five-time Olympic cyclist Daniela Larreal Chirinos found dead at 50". News.com.au.
- ^ a b "Daniela Grelui Larreal". Olympics.com. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ Rojas, Esteban (24 February 2024). "Al alcanzar cinco participaciones en Juegos Olímpicos en #Pekín2008, #Londres2012, #Rio2016, #Tokio2020 y #París2024, Rubén Limardo igualaría entre deportistas de Venezuela a Fabiola Ramos (tenis de mesa) y Daniela Larreal (ciclismo de pista)" (in Spanish) – via X (Twitter).
- ^ "Cycling at the 2000 Sydney Summer Games: Women's 500 metres Time Trial". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ "Cycling at the 2004 Athens Summer Games: Women's Sprint". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Ciclismo (F): Gaviria y Larreal, ya eliminadas". ESPNdeportes.com (in Spanish). 3 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ "London 2012 Team sprint women Results - Olympic cycling-track". Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ "London 2012 sprint women Results - Olympic cycling-track". Archived from the original on 8 December 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ "London 2012 Keirin women Results - Olympic cycling-track". Archived from the original on 8 December 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Daniela Larreal Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
- ^ "IOC sanctions four athletes for failing anti-doping tests at Beijing 2008 and London 2012". 13 September 2016.
- ^ "Medals, Diplomas and Medallist Pins Reallocation" (PDF). Olympics.com. November 2020.
- ^ "Olympic Cycling - Track - Schedule, Results, Medals | London 2012". Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
- ^ a b c d Ashton, Ben (19 August 2024). "Olympic cyclist found dead at home after 'choking on food'". Metro. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ "Daniela Larreal pedalea en Miami del chavismo a Voluntad Popular". El Estímulo (in Spanish). 16 December 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "Hallan muerta a una campeona olímpica venezolana que criticó con dureza el régimen de Maduro". La Razón (in Spanish). 18 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ AFP Español (15 December 2016). Ciclista venezolana busca asilo político en Miami por amenazas. Retrieved 20 August 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Vente Venezuela (11 September 2018). Deportistas Borman Angulo, Daniela Larreal y Freiber Zerpa se ponen la camisa de Vente. Retrieved 20 August 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Former Olympic cyclist found dead inside Las Vegas apartment days after choking on food". The Beacon Herald. 19 August 2024.
- ^ Nuñez, Greily (16 August 2024). "Autopsia revela causa de la muerte de la ciclista zuliana Daniela Larreal". Noticia al dia. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ ShowEmperador (17 August 2024). "Las emotivas palabras de @victorhugopenag para Daniela Larreal junto a el @Conejorodriguez quienes comparten la transmisión de #LaVuelta24 junto a @MaxRicheze y @LauralozanoR a través de @ESPNCiclismo" (in Spanish) – via X (Twitter).
- ^ Sayago, Juan José (17 August 2024). "Extraoficial: Los restos de Daniela Larreal serían trasladados a Venezuela para darle sepultura en Caracas. La petición fue hecha por la familia y se están haciendo los trámites. También se estima se le realice un homenaje en el velódromo Teo Capriles en la capital de 🇻🇪". X (Twitter) (in Spanish).
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Daniela Larreal". Olympedia. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ "Coupe du Monde UCI Piste- 1997 UCI Track World Cup #1". Union Cycliste Internationale. 1997. Archived from the original on 12 June 1997. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ "1999 National Championships Women's results" (PDF). Union Cycliste Internationale. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
- ^ "Track World Cup round 4 - CDM". cyclingnews.com. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
- ^ "Lindenmuth and Witty On Pan Am Podium Again". USA Cycling. 15 August 2003. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ Walker, Kelly (13 August 2003). "USA lands gold and two silvers on second track day". cyclingnews.com. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ "Track World Cup round 3 - CDM: Cape Town, South Africa, April 11-13, 2003". cyclingnews.com. 12 April 2003. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ a b "Track World Cup 2003: Rankings". Union Cycliste Internationale. Archived from the original on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
- ^ "Puerta, Larreal earn keirin titles". cyclingnews.com. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ "Two medals for U.S. track cyclists at Pan American Games". USA Cycling. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ "Canada wins women's team pursuit, sets Pan Am record". cyclingnews.com. 19 October 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
External links
- Daniela Larreal at Cycling Archives
- Daniela Larreal at CycleBase
- Daniela Larreal at Olympedia
- Daniela Larreal at Olympics.com