American swimmer Anita Alvarez rescued by coach Andrea Fuentes after collapsing during world championship routine


Andrea Fuentes avoided a tragedy at the world swimming championships in Budapest on Wednesday.

Fuentes, a four-time Olympic medalist in synchronized swimming for Spain, jumped into the pool to save American swimmer Anita Alvarez when she noticed her sinking motionless to the bottom of the pool during a solo free routine. Reuters reported.

Alvarez, a two-time Olympian, was unresponsive in the water and Fuentes, a fully clothed US trainer, dove in to grab her and bring her to the surface. Another person helped Alvarez out of the pool.

Álvarez had passed out in the water and received medical attention poolside. She was taken away on a stretcher, via Reuters. USA Artistic Swimming said she is “much better” as of Thursday and Fuentes told the Spanish newspaper Marca the same. Via Reuters:

“Anita is much better, she is already at her best. She was a good scare, really”, Fuentes said.

“I jumped into the water again because I saw that no one, no lifeguard, jumped. I freaked out a bit because he wasn’t breathing, but now he’s fine. You have to rest”.

The rescue was captured by photographers at world championships, including olive scarf of the AFP.

Alvarez, 25, posted photos of his routine to his Instagram Stories page in the hours after the rescue. She finished seventh in the individual final. It is the second time that Fuentes has had to rescue Álvarez, according to Reuters. The first came in 2021 during an Olympic qualifying event when Fuentes carried her and her swimming partner Lindi Schroeder to safety.

USA Artistic Swimming thanked fans for the well wishes for Alvarez and said her status for Friday will be determined by the swimmer and medical staff.

“Seeing yesterday’s medical emergency of two-time Olympian Anita Alvarez was heartbreaking for our community,” the organization said in a statement. “Anita gave an exceptional solo performance and has brilliantly competed in four preliminary competitions and three finals over six days of the 2022 FINA World Championships event.

“Anita has been evaluated by the medical staff and will continue to be monitored. She is already feeling much better and is taking advantage of today to rest. Whether or not she will compete in the free team final on Friday June 24 will be determined by Anita and staff. expert doctor.”

Sources also referenced the rescue on Instagram after accrediting the performance and choreography of the team.

“Anita’s solo was also very good, it was her best performance, she pushed her limits and found them,” Fuentes joked in the caption with an emoji. “But Anita is fine and the doctors said she is fine too. We all know what happens in other sports: cycling, marathons, athletics… some don’t make it to the finish line and some even end up crawling or passing out.” Our sport is also very hard. Now is the time to rest and recover. Tomorrow is Featured Day and Free Duo Finals! Ready to give our best.”

Anita Alvarez and Andrea Fuentes

Andrea Fuentes, right, swims to retrieve American swimmer Anita Alvarez from the bottom of the pool during an incident in the Women’s Solo Freestyle Artistic Swimming Final during the Budapest 2022 World Aquatics Championships at the Alfred Hajos Swimming Complex in Budapest on June 22, 2022 (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)




Reference-ca.sports.yahoo.com

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