JAKARTA - United States swimmer Anita Alvarez almost drowned due to losing consciousness while participating in the 2022 FINA Aquatic World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Luckily, his coach, Andrea Fuentes, quickly jumped in and helped the athlete. The incident occurred on Wednesday, June 22, when the four-time Olympic medalists were competing in the women's singles freestyle final.
Alvarez passed out at the end of the race and immediately fell into the pool. He came to his senses moments after the efficient work of the medical personnel.
"It was a big fear. I had to jump because the guards didn't. I was scared because I saw he wasn't breathing, but now he's fine," Fuentes told Give Me Sport.
This is not the first time Alvarez has lost consciousness while in the pool. He had previously fainted in the Olympic qualifying contest in Barcelona on June 13 last year. At that time Fuentes also became his savior.
Fuentes said that at the moment Alvarez is in good shape. Doctors have checked all vital organs such as heart rate, respiration, sugar levels, and blood pressure, and all are normal.
“We sometimes forget that this happens in other high-endurance sports. Marathons, cycling, hiking… we've all seen pictures where some athletes don't make it to the finish line and others help them do it,” said Fuentes.
The team of doctors will continue to check on Alvarez's condition to decide on his participation in the team event on Friday.
Despite the incident, Alvarez scored 87.6333 points to finish seventh in the final. Meanwhile, the freestyle event was won by Yukiko Inui of Japan, who scored 95.3667 points.
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