U.S. swimmer Anita Alvarez saved from drowning by coach after fainting in pool

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Andrea Fuentes prevented a tragedy on the swimming world championships along with her fast response.

The US coach knew one thing was improper when she noticed creative swimmer Anita Alvarez sink immobile to the underside of the pool throughout a solo free routine on Wednesday.

The totally clothed Fuentes dived in. She swam to the unresponsive Alvarez, put her arms round her, and lifted her to the water’s floor, the place one other particular person helped get her out of the pool.

Alvarez, a two-time Olympian, had fainted.

“It was her finest efficiency ever, she simply pushed via her limits and he or she discovered them,” Fuentes joked.

Alvarez, who was instantly given medical consideration, was feeling significantly better on Thursday.

“Anita has been evaluated by medical workers and can proceed to be monitored. She is feeling significantly better and utilizing right this moment to relaxation,” USA Inventive Swimming informed The Related Press in a press release.

“Watching yesterday’s medical emergency of 2x Olympian Anita Alvarez and subsequent rescue by coach Andrea Fuentes was heartbreaking for our neighborhood. She gave an distinctive solo efficiency and competed brilliantly in 4 preliminary and three last competitions throughout six days.”

Alvarez completed seventh in Wednesday’s particular person last.

“Whether or not or not she is going to swim within the free staff last on Friday … will probably be decided by Anita and skilled medical workers,” USA Inventive Swimming mentioned.

Fuentes additionally mentioned Alvarez was doing significantly better in an Instagram post.

“The docs checked all vitals and every little thing is regular: coronary heart fee, oxygen, sugar ranges, blood strain, and so forth… all is okay,” Fuentes wrote. “We typically neglect that this occurs in different high-endurance sports activities. Marathon, biking, cross nation… all of us have seen photos the place some athletes do not make it to the end line and others assist them to get there. Our sport isn’t any totally different than others, simply in a pool, we push via limits and typically we discover them.”