Swimmer Anita Alvarez loses consciousness in the pool at the World Championships
A member of Team USA (R) swims to retrieve USA’s Anita Alvarez (L) from the bottom of the pool.
Ollie Scarf | AFP | Getty Images
American artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez was in danger of drowning after losing consciousness in the pool at the World Championships in Budapest before her coach Andrea Fuentes rescued her.
Spaniard Fuentes, a four-time Olympic medalist in synchronized swimming, jumped into the pool at the end of his singles free final routine after watching Alvarez sink to the bottom.
He was given medical attention near the pool before being carried on a stretcher.
Fuentes had to save Alvarez for the second time after he jumped into the pool during an Olympic qualification event last year and rescued him with American swimmer Lindy Schroeder.
Anita Alvarez of the United States is recovered from the bottom of the pool by a member of the team after the incident.
Ollie Scarf | AFP | Getty Images
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“Anita is much better, she is already at her best. To be honest it was a good scare,” Fuentes told Spanish newspaper Marca.
“I jumped into the water again because I saw no one, no lifeguards, were jumping. I got a little scared because she wasn’t breathing, but she’s fine now. She has to rest.”
In a statement on the US Artistic Swimming Instagram page, Fuentes said Alvarez, 25, would be evaluated by doctors on Thursday before a decision was made on his participation in Friday’s team event.
He was given medical attention near the pool before being carried on a stretcher.
Peter Kohlmi | AFP | Getty Images