Anita Alvarez followed the Budapest 2022 Worlds team competition at the edge of the pool, by decision of the International Swimming Federation.
Two days after her spectacular rescue by her coach following an illness in competition, the American artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez found the pool of the World Championships-2022 in Budapest on Friday, as a simple spectator, by decision of the International Swimming Federation.
Alvarez was on the entry list for the team competition with the United States until moments before the start of the event; she was eventually replaced by fellow countrywoman Yujin Chang. “It’s a decision made by Fina,” said Selina Shah, doctor for the US artistic swimming team. “From my point of view, she could have competed,” she added.
The International Federation explained in a press release that its decision was made after an hour of meeting between its executive director, representatives of its medical commission and members of the management team of the United States and the American Federation. .
“The health and safety of athletes must always be prioritized. We are aware that this decision is disappointing (Anita Alvarez) but we took it thinking about what was best for her”, continued the International Federation, without giving More details.
“Determine the cause”
Dressed in a white t-shirt and all smiles, Alvarez, hugged by her teammates, followed the team competition at the edge of the pool. The event was won by China, ahead of Ukraine and Japan, with the United States placing 9th. On Wednesday, Anita Alvarez, 25, lost consciousness at the end of her solo program, before being rescued and saved from drowning by her trainer Andrea Fuentes. The latter had thrown herself into the water wearing shorts and a t-shirt to bring her to the surface with the strength of her arms.
The photos of Alvarez’s discomfort and his rescue were captured by an AFP robot positioned at the bottom of the pool. They have since been published by many media around the world. “I think she stayed at least two minutes without breathing because her lungs were full of water,” said the coach after the accident.
This is not the first time the swimmer has fainted in competition. She had already had to be rescued last year, already by Fuentes, during a qualifying event for the Tokyo Olympics in Barcelona.
Selina Shah said team doctors were still trying to find an explanation. “We will look at what happened and study it in detail with specialists to try to determine the cause” of his discomfort, said the doctor.