COV regrets the death of former Venezuelan cyclist Daniela Larreal

Larreal forged a great track record during his career as an athlete / Photo: Courtesy

Through its social networks, the Venezuelan Olympic Committee (COV) regretted the death of former Venezuelan cyclist Daniela Larreal.

The news, which had been circulating as a rumor since the evening of Thursday, August 15, was confirmed in the morning by the Venezuelan Cycling Federation (FVC), chaired by Eliézer Rojas.

Larreal, 50, a native of Zulia state, was a prominent cyclist who represented Venezuela in five Olympic Games. She first competed in the sport’s biggest event in Barcelona in 1992 and last in London in 2012 (during that time she only missed Beijing in 2008).

In three of the five Olympics in which she participated, she finished among the best eight in her respective category, which earned her three Olympic diplomas.

The athlete also had great performances in the Central American and Caribbean Games, Pan American Games, among other national and international competitions.

Unknown causes

Journalist Ibrahim López was one of the first to speak about the incident unofficially. He did so on his social media, where he also indicated that the cause of death is currently unknown.

Larreal’s death was allegedly recorded in Las Vegas, USA, where Larreal lived and worked in a hotel. He also said that his death was recorded on Sunday, August 11.

However, it is expected that the US authorities will be able to give official details about what happened to one of the best cyclists that Venezuela has ever had.

Puerto La Cruz / Javier A. Guaipo