An OLYMPIC athlete has tragically died after allegedly choking on food.
Daniela Larreal Chirinos, a Venezuelan track cyclist, was found dead in her Las Vegas home last Friday when officers burst in to check on her.
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Venezuelan woman reportedly found with food in windpipeCredit: Jam Press
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Larreal was found dead in her Las Vegas apartment Credit: Jam Press
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Larreal competed in five Olympic Games Credit: Getty
Authorities were alerted when Larreal, 50, did not show up at the hotel where she worked.
She is believed to have been dead since August 11 – the day before her worried colleagues reported it to the police.
Larreal was said to have died of asphyxiation, according to sources close to the investigation.
An autopsy reportedly found food in her trachea, suggesting she died of suffocation.
However, Las Vegas police have not yet confirmed the official cause of death.
Larreal competed in the sprint disciplines of cycling, including Keirin, sprint and time trial.
She performed at five Olympic Games – Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and London 2012.
Despite not winning any medals at the Olympics, the Venezuelan cyclist has won several gongs at the South American Games, the Pan American Championships and the Cycling World Cup.
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Larreal did not show up for work, alerting her colleagues that something was wrong Credit: Jam Press
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