Coach rescues U.S. artistic swimmer from bottom of pool at World Championships

Andrea Fuentes prevented a tragedy on the swimming world championships together with her fast response.

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

The absolutely 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 individual helped get her out of the pool.

Alvarez, a two-time U.S. Olympian, had fainted.

“It was her finest efficiency ever, she simply pushed by way of her limits and she or he 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 Creative Swimming advised 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 closing competitions throughout six days.”

Not sure about future participation

Alvarez completed seventh in Wednesday’s particular person closing.

“Whether or not or not she’s going to swim within the free group closing on Friday … might be decided by Anita and knowledgeable medical workers,” USA Creative Swimming stated.

Fuentes additionally stated Alvarez was doing significantly better in an Instagram put up.

“The docs checked all vitals and every part is regular: coronary heart price, oxygen, sugar ranges, blood strain, and many others. all is okay,” Fuentes wrote.

“We generally 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 is not any completely different than others, simply in a pool.”