Arlene is originally from Caracas, Venezuela. Her childhood was all about academics and swimming.
As soon as Arlene graduated from high school, she decided to pursue a higher competitive level in swimming and decided to move to the United States with a full scholarship at The University of Alabama. During her college years, Arlene qualified to her first Olympic Games in Athens 2004 and became the fastest swimmer in the history of Bama breaking the school record on the 50 meters freestyle and becoming an All-American swimmer and was inducted to the Hall of Fame of that prestigious institution. After Arlene graduated with two Bachelor in Science Degrees - Bachelor in Human Environmental Science and Bachelor in Food and Nutrition, and finished her college swimming career, she moved to Coral Springs, Florida in 2007.
Arlene started training in Florida swimming under world-class coach Michael Lohberg winning a pair of gold medals at the Pan-American Games in Rio 2007. With these tittles Arlene became the first woman to win gold medals at the Pan-American games in the history of Venezuelan swimming and breaking the Pan-American record for the 50 and 100 freestyle. Soon after that, Arlene qualified to her second Olympic games and placed among the fastest 15 women in the world, making it all the way to Olympic Semifinals and becoming the first Venezuelan female swimmer to qualify to an Olympic Semifinal and rank among the top in the world.
While she came to Coral Springs to seek the 2008 Olympic Games qualification, she made it her base home and have been living there ever since. Arlene participated in London 2012 becoming the first Venezuelan woman to make it to three Olympic Games while completing her Master in Science in Dietetics and Nutrition.
She has accomplished being the Venezuela Record Holder for the 50 and 100 free for the past 15 years. Arlene is currently working as a dietitian while still making her way to what it could become her forth Olympic Games in Rio 2016.
While she is combining her sports career with her professional career, Arlene is always striving to finding balance and fighting to accomplish her final goal in life, to be happy.
Fast Facts
- 3-time Olympic Games Participant Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012
- The University of Alabama Swimming Hall of Fame, inducted 2008
- South American Champion, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012
- 2-time Pan-American Champion 2007
- The University of Alabama Swimming and Diving Team Member, 2003-2007
- All- American Swimmer 2003-2007
- The University of Alabama. College of Human Environmental Science Dean’s List 2003-2007
- Member of National Alumni Association 2006, 2007
- SEC and Alabama Athletic Director Honor Roll Member 2003-2005
- Finalist National Alumni Association Tuscaloosa County Chapter 2005
- Finalist for Paul Bryant Student-Athlete Award 2005
National Records
- Venezuelan National Record 50m freestyle 24"76
- Venezuelan National Record 100m freestyle 54"92
- Venezuelan National Record 4x100 freestyle relay 3'46"24
- Venezuelan National Record 4x100 medley relay 4'11"74
INTERNATIONAL RECORDS
- Pan American Record 50m freestyle 25’’14 – Pan American Games 2007, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (50m pool)
- Pan American Record 100m freestyle 55’’17 – Pan American Games 2007, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (50m pool)
- South American Games Record 50m freestyle 24”76 – World Championships 2009, Rome, Italy (50m pool)
- South American Championship Record 50m freestyle 25’’21 –
South American Championship 2012, Belem, Brazil (50m pool)
International Selections
- Olympic Games – 3 selections
2012 London, 2008 Beijing, 2004 Athens - World Championships – 4 selections
2015 Kazan, 2009 Rome, 2007 Melbourne, 2006 Shanghai - Pan American Games – 4 selections
2015 Toronto, 2011 Guadalajara, 2007 Rio de Janeiro, 2003 Santo Domingo - South American Games – 4 selections
2014 Santiago, 2010 Medellin, 2006 Buenos Aires, 2002 Belen - South American Championships – 4 selections
2012 Belem, 2010 Medellin, 2006 Cartagena, 2002 Belem - Central American and Caribbean Games – 3 selections
2010 Mayaguez, 2006 Cartagena, 2002 San Salvador - Central American Championships – 2 selections
2001 Santo Domingo, 1999 Medellin
OLYMPIC GAMES
- 2012 London – 50m freestyle
- 2012 London – 100m freestyle
- 2008 Beijing – 50m freestyle – 15th semifinalist
- 2008 Beijing – 100m freestyle
- 2004 Athens – 50m freestyle
- 2004 Athens – 100m freestyle
world championships
- 2009 Rome – 50m freestyle – 13th place – 24"76
- 2009 Rome – 100m freestyle – 54"92
PAN AMERICAN GAMES
- 2011 Guadalajara – 100m freestyle – Bronze medal
- 2007 Rio de Janeiro – 50m freestyle – Gold medal
- 2007 Rio de Janeiro – 50m freestyle – Gold medal
- 2007 Rio de Janeiro – 4x100 freestyle relay – Bronze medal
SOUTH AMERICAN GAMES
- 2014 Santiago – 4x100 freestyle relay – Silver medal
- 2014 Santiago – 100m freestyle – Bronze medal
- 2010 Medellin – 100m freestyle – Gold medal
- 2010 Medellin – 50m freestyle – Silver medal
- 2010 Medellin – 4x100 freestyle relay – Bronze medal
- 2006 Buenos Aires – 50m freestyle – Gold medal
- 2006 Buenos Aires – 100m freestyle – Gold medal
- 2006 Buenos Aires – 4x100 medley relay – Gold medal
- 2006 Buenos Aires – 4x100 freestyle relay – Silver medal
- 2002 Belem – 50m freestyle – Gold medal
- 2002 Belem – 100m freestyle – Gold medal
- 2002 Belem – 4x100 freestyle relay – Silver medal
- 2002 Belem – 4x100 medley relay – Bronze medal
Central American and Caribbean Games
- 2010 Mayaguez – 4x100 freestyle relay – Gold medal
- 2010 Mayaguez – 50m freestyle – Bronze medal
- 2010 Mayaguez – 100m freestyle – Bronze medal
- 2006 Cartagena – 4x100 freestyle relay – Gold medal
- 2006 Cartagena – 4x100 medley relay – Gold medal
- 2006 Cartagena – 50m freestyle – Silver medal
- 2006 Cartagena – 100m freestyle – Bronze medal
- 2002 San Salvador – 4x100 freestyle relay – Gold medal
- 2002 San Salvador – 50m freestyle – Silver medal
- 2002 San Salvador – 100m freestyle – Silver medal
- 2002 San Salvador – 4x100 medley relay – Silver medal
- 2002 San Salvador – 4x200 freestyle relay – Bronze medal