Coach Saves Swimmer from Drowning at FINA World Championships
A swimming coach being hailed as a hero after saving a competitor from drowning at the FINA World Aquatic Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Wednesday.
Artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez isn't just good at holding her breath, she can do it while performing a mix of swimming, and gymnastics underwater. But at the end of her solo performance at the World Championships in Budapest, Anita fainted and sank to the bottom of the pool.
First to react was coach Andrea Fuentes, a former Olympian herself, she dived in lifting the unconscious swimmer to the surface.
This was such a scary scene at the swimming championships. The images showed what coach Andrea Fuentes did when 25-year-old American Anita Alvarez fainted during her solo routine and sank to the bottom of the pool.
With lifeguards not reacting at all, Fuentes dove in to save Alvarez. Another American swimmer jumped in as well to assist once Fuentes got Alvarez to the surface.
Fuentes, a four-time Olympic medalist in synchronized swimming herself, told the Spanish Newspaper,
"I jumped into the water again because I saw that no one, no lifeguard, was jumping in. I got a little scared because she wasn't breathing,"
This is actually the second time Fuentes had to jump in to save Alvarez. She also fainted a year ago in an Olympic qualifying event.
Water safety experts say Anita may have experienced shallow water blackouts triggered by hyperventilation.
Alvarez received medical attention at the poolside before being taken away on a stretcher. Fuentes posted on Instagram later that Alvarez was doing well and may even compete later on at the championships.
In the latest news, Anita Alvarez was banned from competing in artistic swimming final just two hours before it. Swimming's world governing body ruled Anita Alvarez was unsafe to continue competition.
"The health and safety of athletes must always come first," said a statement. "While Fina understands why this decision will have been disappointing to the athlete, it was a decision that was made with her best interests in mind."
Team USA finished ninth in the women's team free final without Alvarez.
Comments
Post a Comment