An Olympic cyclist has been found dead in her flat after reportedly choking on food. When former athlete Daniela Larreal Chirinos did not show up at the hotel where she worked, worried colleagues notified the authorities.

Police officers went to her Las Vegas apartment on Friday (August 16) and found her body inside. She is believed to have been dead since August 11, while her colleagues contacted authorities on August 12. According to sources close to the investigation, Larreal, 50 years old, died of asphyxiation, KosovaPress reports.

After her death, remains of solid food were reportedly found in her stomach, suggesting she had died of asphyxiation. However, the cause of death has not yet been officially confirmed by the police.

Larreal was one of Venezuela's most distinguished athletes. She participated in five Olympic Games - Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and London 2012.