An Olympic cyclist died at home from choking on food.

It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Daniela Larreal at the age of 50. The five-time Olympic athlete was found dead in her apartment, having reportedly choked on her food. Her colleagues had reported her missing on August 12th after she failed to show up for work at the Las Vegas hotel where she was employed. It wasn't until four days later, when police officers broke into her home to check on her, that they discovered her lifeless body.

According to an autopsy carried out by state authorities in Nevada, Larreal's cause of death was asphyxiation caused by a blockage in her windpipe from solid food. Investigations are still ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding her death, but it is believed that she had passed away on August 11th.

Larreal was a track cyclist and one of Venezuela's most celebrated sports stars. She was the only athlete from her country to have competed in five different Olympic Games, from 1992 to 2012. Although she never achieved a podium finish, she was recognized for her talent and dedication with four diplomas – an honor given to the top eight finishers in a competition at the Games.

Aside from her Olympic accomplishments, Larreal also had a successful career outside of the Games. She won multiple gold medals at the Pan American Games and South American Games. However, her life took a turn after the 2012 Olympics in London when she publicly opposed the newly elected president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, and accused the Ministry of Sports of corruption.

Larreal became an activist, using her platform to speak out for "freedom and democracy" in her home country. Her strong stance against the government's actions led to death threats, forcing her to flee Venezuela and seek refuge in the USA. Despite the dangers she faced, she continued to be a vocal advocate for her beliefs, even in her last Instagram post on August 8th, where she referenced the ongoing political unrest in Venezuela.

Politician Henrique Capriles paid tribute to Larreal, remembering her as a "great figure in cycling" and a "specialist in track events." He also acknowledged her as a "glory of sport" for her achievements, both on and off the track. As the country mourns the loss of one of its most illustrious athletes, we can only hope that Daniela Larreal's legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

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