Two-time Olympic inventive swimmer Anita Alvarez was in peril of drowning after fainting whereas performing on the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on Wednesday.
Alvarez was dramatically rescued by her coach.
“In harrowing images, 25-year-old Anita Alvarez could be seen floating toward the bottom of the pool, apparently unconscious, after completing her solo free routine,” NBC reported.
Photograph by OLI SCARFF/AFP through Getty Photographs
Alvarez’s coach, Andrea Fuentes, a four-time Olympic medalist in synchronized swimming, jumped instantly after she noticed Alvarez dropping her consciousness and sinking to the underside of the pool.
Photograph by OLI SCARFF/AFP through Getty Photographs
Alvarez was not respiratory and was given medical consideration beside the pool earlier than being taken away on a stretcher, in accordance with ESPN.
“Anita is much better; she is already at her best. It was a good scare, to be honest,” Fuentes informed the Spanish newspaper Marca.
“I jumped into the water again because I saw that no one, no lifeguard, was jumping in. I got a little scared because she wasn’t breathing, but now she’s fine. She has to rest,” Fuentes added.
REUTERS/Lisa Leutner
Completely unimaginable pictures from @oliscarff at the moment.
A member of Group USA rescues Anita Alvarez from the underside of the pool after Alvarez fainted throughout her solo free inventive swimming routine on the Budapest 2022 World Aquatics Championships pic.twitter.com/Tb5pHzcCQ8
— Nathan Howard (@SmileItsNathan) June 23, 2022
The USA Inventive Swimming Group instantly released a statement following the incident.
It’s at all times a pleasure to observe Anita Alvarez swim.
Anita suffered one other medical emergency, much like final yr at qualifiers, on the conclusion of her swim. We’ll present an replace from Anita when she has had the prospect to relaxation and be absolutely evaluated by medical employees. Till then, we’re celebrating seven superb performances by her throughout 5 days of competitors.
Andrea Fuentes additionally launched a press release on her Instagram account saying that Alvarez had fainted on account of “she just pushed through her limits.”
What a day!!! I believe I had all sort of doable feelings! It’s late at night time and simply needed to say thanks for all of your messages. I’m so completely happy you loved our choreographies and we can’t wait to point out a greater efficiency at finals. Now we have a lot room for enchancment however hope and consider is so vital and at the moment we had loads of it! We’re going to do even higher at finals!! Anita’s solo was so good too, it was her greatest efficiency ever, she simply pushed by way of her limits and he or she discovered them however Anita is okay and the docs additionally stated she is ok. Everyone knows it occurs in different sports activities: biking, marathon, monitor and subject… some don’t make it to the ultimate line and a few even end crawling or passing out. Our sport could be very laborious too. Now it’s time to relaxation and get better. Tomorrow is spotlight day and free duet finals! Prepared to present our greatest.
