48 hours following her collapse and temporary cessation of breathing in the pool, US artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez has been disqualified from competing in the team final at the World Championships in Budapest today.
Alvarez fainted during her individual routine in Budapest on June 22 and was rescued by her coach, Andrea Fuentes.
The swimmer had aimed to participate in the final today but was excluded by the International Swimming Federation just hours before the event.
Coach Fuentes had expressed optimism about Alvarez’s chances to represent her country after conducting tests.
Fuentes revealed that Alvarez had ceased breathing for at least two minutes after her performance in the women’s solo free event.
Alvarez regained consciousness after being retrieved from the water, received immediate first aid, and was reportedly recuperating well.
In an interview with NBC Nightly News, Alvarez broke her silence on the ordeal and praised Fuentes’ actions, expressing her gratitude for having her as a coach.
Reflecting on the incident, Alvarez stated, “I remember feeling like it was a really great performance, my best one by far. I was actually enjoying it and really living in the moment too. So, because of that, I feel really happy and proud.”
She recalled, “At the very end, I do remember the very last arm movement, and then I remember going down and just feeling like, ‘uh-oh, I don’t feel too great.’ And that’s literally the last thing I remember actually.”
During an Olympics qualifying event in Barcelona 2021, Fuentes also saved Alvarez after she fainted in the pool.
